The Redshanks

When planning MacSweeney's Company I knew from the start I wanted to add a unit of Highlanders - these can be used whether the Company sees action in Ireland or in Scotland as they can easily represent Redshanks mercenaries.

I picked up a pack of Lochaber axe armed Highlanders from Warlord Games - these will be a perfect Forlorn Hope with the Aggressive upgrade.  I've named them the MacDonald Redshanks:

I also picked up an individual Highlander mini from Warlord that can either be a hero to replace one of the axemen, or even as a leader in his own right in some campaign - he's called Fearghus of Clan MacDonald:

From Bicorne Miniatures I picked up some of their Highlanders - a pack armed with sword and shield and a command pack.  These I'll use as Clansmen in TPL - I've called them the MacCleod Redshanks:

The pointy chap with the claymore I've called Aonghas MacCleod and he can be used as a hero if needed.

In the command pack there was also a priest/agitator type mini - I've prepped him and he might see use as an NPC, or some kind of objective.  I'll call him Diarmad:

The Bicorne Miniatures pieces go very well with the Warlord minis (and Perry Miniatures for that matter).  Really pleased I took a punt on them!

Dragoons and Tóraidhe

I knew I wanted some cavalry elements for MacSweeney's Company and found some great miniatures for a couple of options.  First up are The Carrygalt Dragoons - a useful troop type to have access to:

Like the other units I have for The Pikeman's Lament, the named guy in this unit is Ardal Browne and he's the mounted chap with the dapper hat.  These are from Bicorne Miniatures and are their Dragoon Horse Holders & Command Set 2.

Next up are the Letterkenny Tóraidhe which I can use to represent Gallopers or Trotters in the rules:

The sword-waving fellow (of course) is the named chap and he is Conall MacCraith.  These minis are form Perry Miniatures and they are Moss Troopers in their catalogue (the standard and command packs shown here).

My plans for MacSweeney's Company

I've had my copy of The Pikeman's Lament (TPL) from Osprey Wargames for a while and went back and forth on a theme.  I contemplated a Montrose company - but decided to go with an Irish Confederation theme (which, overall could very easily represent an Irish Brigade element of Montrose's forces anyway...).

I've been playing with lists and have come up with a "to buy" list - the starting point is, of course, the Montrose Irish box set from Warlord. Now, I have a feeling I'll be getting this from my folks for my fast approaching birthday:

From this I will get my Officer, which is a requirement of any TPL force - I've taken inspiration from an officer from County Donegal (one of my ancestral homes) by the name of Myles MacSweeney.  I rolled a 9 for his background which makes him a Duellist; harder to hit in challenges and a boost to his honour at the start.  Not too bad!

From this box (and with a few extra minis) I intend to make a regiment each of Shot and Pike - these will together represent MacSweeney's Regiment of Foote.  These will be led by a Hero that I'll call William Cullin, MacSweeney's right hand man.

There will be enough musketeers left to also form a unit of Commanded Shot - these could represent a foot group of skilled tóraidhe.  I'll call them The O'Neill Brothers. I'll add a Hero to these - Cormac O'Neill (presumably the eldest, or just toughest of the brothers!).

I knew I wanted some Horse - Perry Miniatures is one of my favourite miniatures companies and they don't disappoint.  I've got my eye on the Moss Troopers in their ECW range:

These can be used as either Gallopers or Trotters in TPL. I plan to use them as a cavalry band of tóraidhe, so I'll call them The Letterkenny Tóraidhe.  Of course, if I transplant the force over to campaign in Scotland these can just as easily represent Moss Troopers that have joined up with the Irish Brigade against the Parliamentarians.

I'm also planning on getting a pack of the Perry Miniatures Forlorn Hope/Dragoons Skirmishing:

These provide me with (naturally enough) a Forlorn Hope unit.  I'll call these the Men of Ardachrinn. These will be a group of elite muskets - perhaps as a personal bodyguard for Myles MacSweeney!

I'm also going to pick up a box of the Firelock Storming Party - mostly for the Captain miniature, which I love; he'll become one of my Heroes above (either William or Cormac as he's probably not quite fancy enough to be Myles).

 However, it would be rude not to also make use of the dynamic pistol shooting drummer (who will find a home in the Shot regiment of foote).

Finally, I plan on getting some Highlanders - these will work well if MacSweeney's Company is used as a Montrose force, but if used as a Confederate force they will be a fine example of the many Highlander mercenaries that found employ in Ireland.  Here's the Warlord games minis I'm planning to get:

I'll use them as a Forlorn Hope with the Aggressive upgrade to represent these Lochaber axe swinging warriors - I'll call them The MacDonald Redshanks as a nod to the historic redshanks mercenaries.

I also found a new to me miniature company - Bicorne Miniatures.  I'm planning on picking up some of their Highlanders with swords and shields to use as a group of Clansmen:

Again, these will represent a redshanks mercenary band - or will very easily work if MacSweeney takes his company over to assist the cause in Scotland.  I'll call them The MacLeod Redshanks.

I'm also toying with the idea of adding a unit of Dragoons to the Company - not sure if I'll go with Perry or Bicorne for those.  If I get some, I'll name them The Carrygalt Dragoons.

These will give me plenty of options to pick my list from on any given occasion - and will allow me to use MacSweeney's Company in Ireland- or Scotland-based battles without too much of a stretch.

Looking forward to chipping away at getting these minis in hand!