Spanish-Irish Alliance

If I recall correctly, a justification for Spain trying to take over England with its Armada was to restore it to Catholism. Let's say they don't. Instead, they decide to support their brother Catholics, the Irish, against the British. This isn't an Irish-wank. Ireland is still badly internally divided. However, when the British try full-scale colonization, they are able to resist more effectively, thanks to Spanish interventions or supplying.

Does this keep Ireland independent? Does it make it a Spanish protectorate?

How will this change English colonization policy? They learned to exclude or exterminate natives in Ireland.

How does this change history?
 
The Spaniards did support the Irish to a degree in OTL. Heck, even the Papal States sent some troops to the isle, only to be hounded mercilessly and slaughtered by Englishmen.

Let's say that the Catholic powers do a better job supplying the Irish, though-- which clans would they focus support on after they got an on-the-ground appraisal of the situation? What would be the likeliest Spanish base of operations on Ireland? What would be the best base of operations? If Spain did well in Ireland, would Scotland flip out and become best buds with England?

I confess that it's been a while since I last did any research on Elizabethan Ireland, but going from memory Munster or Leinster would be likeliest for Spain to base operations and support out of, with Leinster being the better of the two choices-- County Wexford might be ideal. From Leinster it's a straight march up the coast to Meath, the core of the Old English community, and as the Spanish march north up the east coast and secure Irish ports, it'll become harder and harder for the English to send reinforcements.

This does not mean that the Irish all hold hands and sing praises and hosannahs to the Spanish, mind you. Clans are not going to suddenly end whatever feuds they may have had just to replace the English with the Spanish, and some may very well side with the English over the Spanish as the campaign goes on.

It'll probably end in a bloody mess for everybody involved.
 
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