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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Spanish Infantry Regiment "Irlanda", 1805


There were three "Irish" regiments serving in the Spanish Army, the oldest of which was Irlanda ("Ireland"), raised in 1698. They were part of the "Wild Geese" departing Ireland to serve in the armies of Catholic powers in the aftermath of the treaty of Limerick in 1691, and continuing for the next 100 years or more. 


The Irish regiments in Spanish service had worn red coats until 1791, when they changed to white coats like the rest of the army. In 1805, the dress of the Irish regiments changed again, to Sky Blue coats with various light yellow (some sources call it buff) facings.


As best I can tell from illustrations of their uniforms, the yellow facings and cuff flaps were piped in white; if an item was left sky blue, it was piped yellow instead. 


Note the  Irish harp badge on the flag; this is the  Corunella flag of the Hibernia (the Latin name for Ireland) regiment, raised in 1709, as made by Adolfo Ramos, but it seems that the flags of all three Irish regiments were nearly identical anyway.


These fine 28mm figures are by Three Armies.


Although most of the soldiers in these regiments would be at best part Irish by this time, I chose to give mine red hair, because I could!



Irish/Foreign Regiments, 1805: Regimental distinctions

#
Regiment
Cuffs/turnbacks
Lapels
Collar
Buttons
36
Irlanda
Light Yellow
Light Yellow
Light Yellow
Brass
37
Hibernia
Light Yellow
Light Yellow
Sky Blue
Pewter
38
Ultona
Light Yellow
Sky Blue
Light Yellow
Brass
39
Napoles
Light Yellow
Light Yellow
Light Yellow
Pewter
Ultona = Ulster,  raised in 1709, Napoles = Naples, an Italian "Foreign" regiment. 
All regiments had light yelow shoulder straps piped white as well. 

18 comments:

  1. Having red hair, myself, I can appreciate a regiment of red heads! Handsome regiment, Peter! Sky blue jackets look terrific.

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    1. Thanks, Jon. Perhaps we can recruit you to join the Red-Headed League? :-)

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you, Garry. The jackets were painted with Delta CC "Blue Jay".

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  3. Wonderful colors and flag, nice regiment Peter!

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  4. Nice job, your Spanish army is really taking shape.

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    1. Thanks, Joe. Yes, they have come along nicely. I have a few more infantry and artillery, plus generals and Guerillas, etc to do I need command figures for my Brigade Games Garochistas and Line Cavalry, and then maybe a unit each of Hussars and Cazadores a Caballo, and maybe a couple more Militia infantry units and they will be pretty much done.

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  5. The regiment Irlanda is my favourite of all the Spanish line, and you have done them proud. Can't wait to see them in action.

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    1. It is an impressive uniform, isn't it? You don't have some Irish in you, do you?!

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    2. One omy favorite Spanish regiments too and I do have Irish in me.
      I have this regiment in 15mm as part of my Spanish contingent at Albuera.

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    3. I do as well Peter, on my maternal grandmother's side. An interesting bunch and I remember being in a room at a wedding with a dozen or so great aunts and uncles when I was eight or nine and not being able to understand them. I recall they all looked as though they were enjoying themselves though.

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    4. A lot of "Wild Geese" of various kinds in the room, it would seem! :-)

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  6. I’m desperate to have this regiment in my Spanish force Peter and yours just might get them back into the rotation. Well done mate.

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    Replies
    1. Happy to provide the motivation for additional wargame units, Carlo! :-)

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  7. Lovely looking Irish /Spanish regiment, nice and colourful to contrast with all the white !
    Best Iain

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Iain; some Swiss to follow soon as well!

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