Edward Bruce, earl of Carrick, had landed in Ireland in May the year before, and been proclaimed king of the island in June.

Bruce continued on his march south, when on 26 January 1316 the Scottish army was advancing from Castledermot it encountered the English.

[1] The Hiberno-Norman forces, summoned by the justiciar of Ireland, consisted of men such as John FitzThomas FitzGerald, Maurice FitzThomas FitzGerald, Thomas FitzJohn, John and Arnold Poer, Maurice de Rocheford, and Miles and David de la Roche.

[2] The official English account of the battle blamed unfortunate terrain and bad luck for the government forces' loss, not an entirely convincing explanation.

Here John Hotham, the king's envoy to Ireland, made a great effort to ensure the loyalty of the Irish nobles.