The battle was between Domhnall, High King of Ireland and Congal Cláen, King of Ulster. It is described as one of the most sanguinary in early Irish History. Congal had killed the King of Ireland in 628 but was defeated the next year at the battle of Battle of Dun Cethirn and Domnall became King of Ireland.

Congal fled to exile in Scotland and asked for help. He returned with an army of Britons, Scots and Saxons, including a Scottish King and a number of Princes. He probably arrived through Dunseverick. One of the five royal roads from Tara, seat of the Kings of Ireland, ran due north and ended at Dunseverick castle.

This ancient road was known as the High King’s Road and crossed the Lagan at a fort near Moira – probably over the ford where Spencer’s Bridge now stands.

Congal and his troops marched south. Domhnall advanced from Tara, with an army of Irish chieftains and princes. The two armies of 50,000 men on either side, came together at Moira. Congal’s army was annihilated. Congal himself was killed.

One historian said it was “the greatest battle, whether we regard the numbers engaged, the duration of the combat, or the stake at issue, ever fought within the bounds of Ireland.” The defeated armies fled in the direction of the Killultagh Woods, near Ballinderry.

When the Ulster Railway was being built, great quantities of bones were discovered. These are believed to have been from the men and horses killed in the battle. Just below the kilns there once was a mound which a few years ago was “discovered to consist almost entirely of human remains; evidently of those who had been slain in some great battle”. (Quoted by Eileen Cousins in “Like and Evening gone” – a history of Magheralin Church).

Some of the names of the townlands in the area originate from the Battle: Aughnafosker means the ‘field of slaughter’, Carnalbanagh means ‘the Scotsman’s grave’, Kilwarlin means ‘wood of slaughter.’

Image: The Battle of Moira by Jim Fitzpatrick