Fire and Fragmented Power
The broad political setting was the continuing rivalry between Muirchertach Ua Briain, king of Munster and dominant ruler in much of southern Ireland, and Domnall Ua Lochlainn, king of Ailech and the foremost power in the north. Both could claim a form of high-kingship, but neither exercised undisputed sovereignty throughout the island. Cellach, successor of Patrick at Armagh, had negotiated a year’s peace between them in 1107. That agreement helps explain why the annals do not record a major head-to-head battle between their principal armies in 1108.