BattlefieldsBattle of Knockdoe
Medieval

Battle of Knockdoe

1504
Galway, Ireland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Galway, Ireland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ulick Burke (de Burgo) of Connacht
Forces
Ulick Burke c. 1,500–3,000.
VS
Victor
Gearóid Mór FitzGerald (Great Earl of Kildare)
Forces
Gearóid Mór FitzGerald c. 2,000–3,500
Outcome
FitzGerald victory; Connacht submission
The Battle

History & Significance

One of the largest battles in late medieval Ireland. The Great Earl of Kildare, acting as Lord Deputy, led a royal army of Irish and Anglo-Irish forces against the Burke lord of Connacht. The battle was fought with guns, the first to be recorded in Ireland. FitzGerald's victory confirmed his dominance over Ireland but also alarmed Henry VII, who began taking steps to reduce Kildare power.

Casualties & Losses

Thousands killed on both sides

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Galway

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Galway