Irish Gallowglass Mercenaries

Timeline

1. 1259–1300Connacht · ConnachtClans such as the MacSweeneys and MacDonnells came south from the Hebrides, providing heavy infantry to Irish Gaelic lords and countering the English-Norman cavalry advantage.
2. 1316–1318Ireland · IrelandChronicles record that Robert the Bruce brought large numbers of gallowglass reinforcements to Ireland, providing heavy infantry support for Edward Bruce's coronation and operations such as the 1317 siege of Dublin.
3. 1311–1320Ireland · IrelandIn the early 14th century, gallowglass clans received land grants across Ireland, forming a mixed mercenary-settler military class serving hereditarily and becoming the backbone of Gaelic lords' armies.