The Battle of Cuirrech-Chinn-eitigh

A commission I made about a battle fought between the O'Conor Don and the O'Conor Roe in 1397. It represents a fatidic moment of the battle, where the Gallowglasses desperately try to hold the line against the attacking Roe's army.

Here is an account of the battle, taken from the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters (provided by the commissioner):

"Mac Donough of Lirerril repaired to Machaire-Chonnacht with all his forces, substance, and cattle, to assist O'Conor Don, and encamped with his people and cattle at Cuirrech-Chinn-eitigh, where O'Conor was. O'Conor Roe having heard of this, he assembled together, from every side, Mac William, Thomas, the son of Sir Edmond Albanagh, the sons of Cathal Oge O'Conor, the sons of Hugh Mac Dermot, the Hy-Many, and even the grandsons of Felim, with all the forces of each of them, and a body of gallowglasses besides; and these then marched to the Plain [of Machaire Chonnacht]. But O'Conor Don was not then along with Mac Donough, nor did Mac Donough perceive the army until O'Conor Roe had surrounded him with a large body of cavalry. A battle ensued between them, which was fiercely and determinedly maintained on both sides, until [at length] Mac Donough and his people were defeated; and the heroes by whom they were routed pursued and slaughtered them. In this engagement were slain Mac Donough, and Hugh Caech, the son of Hugh, son of Turlough O'Conor; Mac Sweeny, High Constable of Connaught from the Mountain downward, and his two brothers, Donough and Donslevy; Cuaifne, the son of Cuaifne O'Conor; and Dermot Mac Donough, Tanist of Tirerrill; together with other chieftains and nobles of their kinsmen and people. Innumerable and indescribable were the spoils and valuable articles obtained by O'Conor Roe on this occasion, without mentioning horses, arms, and armour. This defeat of Cinn-eitigh was sustained on the first festival of [the Blessed Virgin] Mary in Autumn. When O'Conor Don had heard the news of this (which he did on the third day after the defeat), he came to the herds and stalls of O'Conor Roe and the Clann-Felim, which were situated in Leitrim and having given them a migratory overthrow, which was called "an gheal-mhaidhm," he carried off from them immense preys and spoils on that occasion."