The 4th Spanish Armada's arrival at Kinsale marked a crucial point in the complex power dynamics between England, Ireland, and Spain during the late 16th century. This expedition was primarily aimed at aiding the Irish who were in revolt against English control under Queen Elizabeth I. Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, had been waging a war against English forces and sought Spanish help to bolster his position. In response, the Spanish monarchy sent a fleet to support O'Neill’s cause, believing this would result in a larger insurrection against English rule in Ireland.

On landing at Kinsale, the Armada quickly faced challenges. Oquendo’s forces were welcomed by local Irish troops, but the anticipated support from O'Neill’s army did not materialize as expected. Instead, the arrival of the Spanish forces sparked a response from the English, prompting them to mobilize their troops swiftly to confront this new threat. Within weeks of disembarking, the Spanish forces found themselves encircled in Kinsale by English troops led by Lord Mountjoy, culminating in the significant Siege of Kinsale, which followed shortly after.

The landing at Kinsale was not just a military maneuver but part of a larger geopolitical struggle. It underscored the alliances at play during this period, particularly the Catholic Spain's involvement in Irish affairs to support a shared Catholic identity against Protestant England. However, the subsequent English victory at Kinsale in early 1602 effectively quashed the rebellion, leading to the decline of the Gaelic nobility's power in Ireland and solidifying English control.