The Armour Archive

I've seen much discussion about the armor styles worn by the "Gallowglas" during the 14th c. What I'm interested in here is the type of armor, particularly helms, that was worn by the Irish during the 9-Years Uprising at the end of the 16th c spilling into the beginning 17th c. I understand that, for the most part, the Irish styles lagged a majority of the rest of Europe, but how far does that apply? By this time, the gallóglaigh had been used extensively, most holding lands in Ireland for some time. Is there any evidence that the armor would have improved by the end of the 16th c?
Thanks for the input.
Eoghan

Galloglass armour was pretty consistent throughout the period, right up until they were no longer a fighting force. Gambeson and/or maille hauberk, helmet, sometimes with an aventail. The helmet type may change with the times, but basinets seem to prevail right up till the end. Derrick's Image of Irelande
http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/about/bgallery/ ... eland.html shows Galloglasses in plate 61. They are armed much like Galloglasses from the 14th century shown here. http://maceain.ulsterheritage.com/image ... ddogs2.gif
Durer made a woodcut of some Irish warriors, including Gallowglasses.
http://www.gallowglassbooks.com/blog/wp ... durer1.png Note the funky helmets. Here ins an Irish reenactor's take on the helmet
http://0.tqn.com/d/goireland/1/0/h/3/-/ ... wglass.jpg

There's a new Osprey book on galloglasses from 1250 to 1600. For the late period, some of the period depictions seem to show Irish soldiers/galloglasses in morions, cabassets, or burgonets.

I thnink any of the 16th century foot soldiers' helmets would be appropriate. IIRC, Spain sent arms and armour to the Catholic lords in Ireland, sort of in response to England helping the Dutch rebels. Mostly light foot soldier's armour, given the skirmishing nature of warfare in Ireland. Body armour would still be a gambeson or gambeson and hauberk. Derrick has a picture of an Irish lord wearing what looks like a jack of plates and a helmet made in the same manner. The helmet would not be suitable for SCA heavy, but maybe cut and thrust and certainly would make a cool A&S prject.