Definition of "kerne"

Donald no sooner beheld his kinswoman than he dropped on his knee and with the wildest demonstrations of joy kissed the hand of the ragged kerne who supported her.

1902, William MacLeod Raine, A Daughter of Raasay‎

April 11: The army advances again to Armagh, where it waits for galloglasse and kerne from the Pale.

1870, James Godkin, The Land-War In Ireland (1870)‎