After capturing Carrickfergus in August 1689 and advancing towards Dublin, the Williamite commander Marshal Schomberg had halted his army at Dundalk Camp during a stand-off with the Jacobite forces defending the capital.

[1] As soon as Schomberg had withdrawn from Dundalk, the Jacobites issued orders to Boisseleau to lead a force to Newry with the intention of rolling-up the various Williamite garrisons in the area.

Colonel Toby Purcell the commander at Newry, had several companies of Sir Henry Ingoldsby infantry regiment as a garrison.

[5] Later in November reports were received that the Earl of Antrim's regiment at Dundalk were planning a fresh attack on Newry.

Brigadier William Stewart led a Williamite force which defeated Antrim's men in the Moyry Pass, killing thirty and taking seventeen prisoners.