Dermot The King of Ossory Mac Giolla Padraig, who presided over part of a region now known as Kilkenny, was a mortal enemy of Dermot MacMurrough.

This King had had Enna Dermot's promising young son and heir blinded, and had been instrumental in driving Dermot from his capital at Ferns. Now that help had come Dermot had revenge on his mind. His army, numerically smaller than that of the enemy made their way to Freshford in Ossory in the summer of 1169.

The formation in which they threw themselves at the waiting Ossory men had already been influenced by Norman military tactics. With Donal Caomanac, Dermot's son at their head, the army of the King of Leinster first sent the Norse from Wexford into the fray to attract the first shower of javelins. This was followed by the Irish cavalry and the Normans. The Flemish contingent followed by archers brought up the rear. It would be of interest to know in what language orders were shouted. Organised and experienced, they annihilated the army of Mac Giolla Padraig. It was said that the river of Glashnacrow flowed from Freshford running red with blood and within it the blood of the blinder of Enna, prince of Leinster.

The panel shows Dermot in the thick of battle. Aged sixty four, he is clad in his saffron trews and is carrying an oblong Celtic shield. His mount is a small active type of dun horse favoured by the Irish. He is flanked by a Norman, bearing a Fitzgerald kite shaped shield. Behind them flies the pennant of the Prendergasts and above, showing that he was recovered from his adventures in Wexford, floats the banner of Robert de Barry. Underfoot, one of the reluctant Norse conscripts lies dead. The loss of life is frightful but Dermot is avenged.

The upper border show the eventual departure of the Flemish contingent back to Wales. Life on the Irish battlefields proved unbearable despite the lavish rewards being promised on all sides. Dermot is seen clutching the decapitated heads of his most hated enemies.

In the lower border the two armies confront each other. The loose formation of the Ossory men fall victim of the organised strike of international contingent.