Battle of Bellaghmoon

Bellaghmoon near Castledermot, County Kildare, became the place where Cormac mac Cuilennáin lost his life and his kingdom on 13 September 908. His adviser Flaithbertach mac Inmainén refused a peaceful settlement, pushed the hesitant Munster army into battle against Flann Sinna, and watched it break before Cormac fell from his horse with a broken neck. Flann Sinna received the severed head, kissed it, and carried it around him three times, turning a military victory into a sacred act that left Munster kingless until Flaithbertach was chosen years later.