The Galloglass: Ireland’s Axe Wielding Mercenary Class

The Galloglass were some of the most fearsome mercenaries in history. Truly professional, selected carefully only from the strongest, and equipped with head-splitting axes, these warriors decisively shaped Irish history and warfare between the 13th and 16th century.

The Galloglass were an elite warrior infantry, both highly effective in battle and very well suited for protection duty. Starting off as simple mercenaries traveling from the rough coasts of northwestern Scotland, they evolved into a sedentary class of warriors in Ireland. Their family networks provided all of Ireland with deadly warriors who could easily match English knights.

In this video we explore how contemporary historiography explains who the Galloglass were, what made them so effective, and finally, how they fought.

The Galloglass were an elite warrior infantry, both highly effective in battle and very well suited for protection duty.