Quote:
O'Neill had the forces raised from the clans of O'Neill, ODonnell and their dependent clans. He also had a substantial number of mercenaries in his pay, many of them from the Highlands of Scotland. The Irish carried their traditional arms of swords, axes and javelins but also pikes and muskets, especially calivers, which were a lighter and more portable version of the standard musket. O'Neill had several English and Spanish military advisors in his pay, who trained his troops in the use of modern weaponry. Many Irish horsemen carried their spears over-arm, either thrusting or throwing them at close quarters in the traditional manner.
This tells me that the Irish at this time where a force to be contended with. If you read the Wiki entry listed above, you'll see that the Irish inflicted 1500-2000 deaths, whilst the English only inflicted 200. This also gives more information on what weapons the Irish used. However this is set in the late 16th Century and Early 17th Century. But, it does give information on the Irish.