The Battle of Kellistown took place in the late 14th century during a period of rising tensions between the English Crown and Irish chieftains in Leinster. Roger Mortimer, the 4th Earl of March, commanded the English forces who sought to solidify their control and influence over Irish territories amid ongoing conflicts for power and land. The Gaelic Irish, led by Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach, represented a strong resistance against this encroachment, drawing upon local support and a deep knowledge of the challenging terrain. The clash occurred close to Kellistown, a strategic location that further underscored the significance of the battle.The battle was not just a straightforward military engagement; it featured strategies unique to both factions. The English troops used traditional European tactics, enhanced by their established military structure, while the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles leveraged guerilla warfare and the density of their homeland. The outcome of this encounter contributed to the larger framework of conflicts characterizing the late medieval period in Ireland. Art Óg's leadership demonstrated the resilience of the Gaelic Irish against external forces, highlighting the ongoing struggle for autonomy that would persist for centuries.In the aftermath, neither side achieved a definitive long-term victory, but the battle underscored the ongoing conflict between English settlers and Irish chieftains. It illustrated the complexities of power dynamics within Ireland, where individual chieftains wielded significant authority and determined the localized outcomes of broader political struggles. The events at Kellistown also enhanced the reputations of both Mortimer and Art Óg within their respective communities, setting the stage for future encounters in the continuing struggle between the Anglo-Norman lords and Gaelic Irish leadership.