"Planning an Irish Confederate army" Topic

It was inevitable I suppose, I'd run out of W3K things to paint, so it was only a matter of time before I gave in to the voice in my head saying "Irish Confederates, you know you want to"

So here's my research starting point, a very expensive reading list, a very time consuming mistake, a container full of heads ready for swapping, and my custom casual markers. link

I know that not everyone follows links, so I'll ask the question I pose on the blog:

"On the subject of scarves, I remember reading a reference to Irish men wearing green scarves (or ribbons) outside Dublin Castle. But I've lost it. Or was hallucinating. If anyone knows of it, please let me know. It was in a secondary source, so will need investigating further in 1641 Depositions, but I need the starting point."

Thanks in anticipation

Khurasan actually do Irish Confederate figures, but I guess they don't mix in with your Peter Pigs?

BillyNM they are nice figures but, alas, too big alongside PP.

Plus I have already got the foot and artillery.

Just a few odds and ends, dragoons and horse to get.

I'm looking forward to this endeavour. Likewise Irish Confederates are one of my (many) to do armies, though they'll have to wait until Covenanters are done. Will be interesting to see how you do them, with such fragmentary sources!

In a vague impressions kind of way, I guess you can get dual use out of Montrose's Irish brigade and some 'redshank' Highlander types. Also thinking the Ulster forces may have appeared somewhat differently to the Leinster and Munster forces. Leinster and Munster generally more 'English' looking. (Or so is my impression, but backing this up would be tricky).

Remember you can have lancers, but usually cavalry was few, and organised as independent troops early on. For the foot, they kept the arquebus in use into the later 1640s, probably due to lack of sufficient muskets.

I have the Lenihan book KYPD in case you need me to look something up, luckily got it when it was considerably cheaper! Provides some nice snapshots but isn't really the 'holy grail'. Hoping his new book turns out well. Clive Hollick's Benburb I found very informative for the Ulster army.

At least you should get some good mileage out of the Confederate Irish, they fight the Royalists, Parliamentarians, Covenanters and on at least one occasion, each other!

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Have you checked out what Helion has to offer? How about this one? link

I have always been more than satisfied with every volume I have purchased from them! My main interest are the conflicts in northern Italy during the reign of the Sun King thru Louis the XV. Not exactly well covered by the usual suspects!

Thank you Dye4.

I mention The Army of Occupation in my blog entry. A few good snippets of information, but the Confederates aren't really the subject of Malcolm's study – he's looking at the English and Scottish troops.

On the horizon is Pádraig Linehan's new book on the Confederates, also from Helion. Due out end of June, early July.

Tim, thanks for the offer. I may have a copy coming to me from another source, if that falls through I shall be in touch. Having heard Pádraig speak at the Helion conference I am looking forward to his new volume.

Top tip have a look at 1641 Depositions, all searchable by keyword! Might speed things along.

I've already got 'the Irish Brigade' which will take me to 9 Irish RoF.

Horse, I don't really know what I am doing with horse yet. It's the Civil Wars so I feel duty bound to paint gazillions of horses. My Montrose army has too many horse. Theoretically there should be just 20 horse if I
am painting 200 foot, but why should a little matter of history get in the way? I'm currently erring to having 2 units of horse. Although I can't decide whether to do 1 lancer, 1 sword & pistol, or mix everything up and have 2 lance/sword/pistol.

Thanks for the heads up about the Benburb book.

Of course that should be Lenihan note Linehan.

Must remember to wear my glasses 🤓

Hah! Linehan was writer of Father Ted iirc. Reminds me you must have Bishop Heber McMahon as a possible general. Not that he'll deserve even a +1 I think.

He was, I've just watched Black Books again with #4 son, who now believes that I am turning into Bernard Black (but without the alcohol).

I can't believe how much 'Confederate Catholics at War 1641 1649' has increased in price since I bought my copy in 2013, it was only £17.50 GBP back then on Amazon and it's £200.00 GBP now.

Another an excellent book is 'The Battle of Benburb 1646 by Clive Hollick, but again the price has gone from £8.00 GBP to £50.00 GBP over the past ten years.

Both books are brilliant and an invaluable source of information.