Henry Colley (died 1584)

Sir Henry Colley, or Cowley (died 1584) was an Irish soldier and landowner of the Elizabethan era.

Little is known of Colley's early years, except that he was the son of Walter Cowley (c. 1489-1558), Principal Solicitor for Ireland.

Robert and his son, Walter Colley/Cowley, left Glaston for Ireland circa 1512 in the time of Henry VII.

Cromwell's downfall was disastrous for the Colleys/Cowleys, who were generally unpopular and mistrusted: both Robert and Walter were removed from office and imprisoned for a time in England.

Sir Henry Sidney in 1580, in recommending Henry Colley (who was by then a sick and ageing man) to his successor as Lord Deputy, Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton, called him "as good a border-keeper as I have ever met", a man who had for many years kept King's County in peace and good obedience, and was personally "a sound and fast friend to me".