The Moriartys' property at one time stretched from Loch Lein to the Blasket Islands and they were direct descendants of the Eoghanacht.
In November 1583 a raiding party of Desmond's men attacked a kinsman of the O'Moriartys, stealing their cattle and robbing women and children and stripping them naked.
[1] Owen Moriarty sought assistance from a local Royal commander, Sir William Stanley, to take revenge and recover the cattle.
[2] Accompanied by several government soldiers, a party of warriors led by Owen pursued Desmond into the Slieve Mish Mountains.
O'Moriarty attempted to take Desmond prisoner, seizing him and arresting him in the name of the Queen and the Lord General Ormond.