The news of the Spaniards’ arrival had been speedily conveyed to the Ulster chieftains. Their disappointment at the smallness of the succour so long waited for, and at the ill selection of a landing place, must have been extreme. They knew, however, that this was their last chance, and they prepared to march southwards in all haste. Hugh Ruadh called together the sub-chiefs who still adhered to him, and, when all were assembled with their forces at Ballymote, he started on his long journey, at the head of about three thousand men.

It was November, and the task before O’Donnell, of marching troops for a distance amounting to more than two-thirds of the length of Ireland at such a season, was no easy one. However, the clansmen were hardy, inured to brave all conditions of weather and to travel long distances on foot. They pushed on over the Curlew Hills into Roscommon, and proceeded through Co. Galway to Shannon Harbour, where they were ferried over the great river. They went on south, through the King’s Co, and on to the barony of Ikerrin in Tipperary. Here, at Drumsaileach, near Roscrea, they halted awhile to await O’Neill.