The conflict was a part of the political and military struggle, involving the English and occasionally the Scots, for control of northern Ireland.

Ardnaree the anglicised version of the name can be translated to Árd na ríogh meaning the hill of the kings.

The Mac Philbins and Mayo Burkes had risen in revolt against English rule in Ireland.

An Irish-Scottish mercenary army, led by Donnell Gorm MacDonnell of Carey and Alexander Carragh MacDonnell of Glenarm, sons of the deceased James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg, were invited into Connacht by the Burkes to attack English settlements and forces.

[1] The mercenary army was fronted at Sligo, Coolony and Ballingafad by English forces for over fourteen days.