On the day before the battle, the advance of a government force led by General Eyre Power Trench was visible miles from Killala, as it was marked by smoke from houses and cabins burned along the route.

One of these divisions approached in the direction of where the Rebels were stationed on the Ballina road and a sharp engagement took place when the two sides met.

They were pursued by government troops as they did so and, as a result, the rebel force sustained heavy casualties – both within the town and in the fields surrounding it.

The defeat was the last major engagement of the Irish Rebellion 1798 on land; Killala had remained under rebel control for only thirty-two days.

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Killala and Achonry, Joseph Stock, left the most detailed eye-witness account of the battle.