But Baldearg O'Donnel was not duped by the superstitious veneration of which he was the object.

While there remained any doubt about the issue of the conflict between the Englishry and the Irishry, he had stood aloof.
On the day of the battle he had remained at a safe distance with his tumultuary army; and, as soon as he had learned that his countrymen had been put to rout, he fled, plundering and burning all the way, to the mountains of Mayo.

Thence he sent to Ginkell offers of submission and service.

Ginkell gladly seized the opportunity of breaking up a formidable band of marauders, and of turning to good account the influence which the name of a Celtic dynasty still exercised over the Celtic race.

The negotiation however was not without difficulties.