gallowglass

/ˈɡæloʊˌɡlæs/
noun
  1. A heavily armed mercenary soldier from medieval Ireland or Scotland.
    • The gallowglass fought fiercely with his long axe in the battle.
    • The museum displayed the armor of a 16th-century gallowglass.
    • Scottish gallowglasses were often hired by Irish chieftains.