ABSTRACT
The name Hiberno-English as a global term for the language is unnecessary since Anglo-Irish has hitherto served unambiguously for the language as for the literature. The term Anglo-Irish is justified as names are: it points to the creation in modern rural Ireland of a new language based upon Irish or Gaelic and absorbing linguistic resources chiefly lexical from outlying forms of English. A mixed language mainly Irish in syntax and phonology with an appreciable and increasing English vocabulary and accidence. A military confrontation between the two civilisations involved at first in this commerce is recorded for the year 1586. Alastair mac Somhairle of the Clan Donnell of the Isles, captain of a troop of gallowglass, was followed and overtaken by an English troop under Captain Merriman in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Alastair stepped forward in traditional style to challenge the rival leader to single combat. Alastair killed him and was there upon attacked and wounded by Merriman.
