Gallowglass

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The gallowglasses (also spelled galloglass, gallowglas or galloglas; from Irish gallóglach, meaning "foreign warrior") were a class of elite mercenary warriors in Ireland, who were originally members of Norse-Gaelic clans from the Scottish Highlands prior to arriving in Ireland between the mid-13th century and late 16th century. Despite sharing a common background and language with the Irish, they were referred to as Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels") since they were descendants of 10th-century Norse settlers who had intermarried with the local population in western Scotland. An early family of gallowglasses was the MacSweeneys, settled by the O'Donnells in north Donegal. These were followed by MacDonnells, MacAlisters, MacCabes and several other groups settled by Irish rulers in different areas. The gallowglasses were attractive as heavily armoured, trained infantry to be relied upon as a strong defence for holding a position, unlike the standard Irish soldier, the kern who fought with little if any armour. They were a significant part of Irish infantry before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal employment by Irish clan chiefs. An Irish military leader would often choose a gallowglass to serve as his personal aide and bodyguard because, as a foreigner, a gallowglass might be less influenced by the internal feuds over dynastic succession within the derbfine of the Irish clans.