Above: Map of Connacht

The parts of Ireland affected by the wars of Shane O’Neill had been Ulster, some parts of Connacht, and north Leinster ; now the southern province, which had been flourishing in comparative peace, was to take its turn in misfortune. Of the southern nobility the Earl of Desmond was by far the most powerful. The territory over which his sway or influence extended stretched from Duncaoin (Dunquin W. of Ventry) in Kerry to ” the Meeting of the Three Waters ” where the Suir, Nore and Barrow meet in Waterford ; and from the great island of Ard Nemidh (Queenstown) to Limerick ; and it comprised some of the richest land in Ireland. The Desmonds, like the Kildares, descended from Maurice Fitzgerald, who had come to Ireland in Henry’s day.

Bruce’s march through Leinster had broken the Norman grip on the plains lying between the Liffey and the Barrow, and these were now assailed by the Irish. On one side the O’Moores, and on the other the Mac Murroughs swept down on the lands from which they had been driven. Similarly, the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles assailed the coast on the other side of the mountains, and took Arklow, Newcastle and Bray. The Lord Deputy was forced to leave Bruce unmolested while he quelled this attack on the vital communications  He was descended, through the Marshalls, from Strongbow and Eva.