New Ross is approximately 120 kilometers south of Dublin. The countryside through which Ormond and his army passed was rebel territory. Throughout this portion of Leinster, the Confederates maintained numerous strongholds and garrisons as all the English had fled shortly after the beginning of the Irish Rebellion in 1641. Along the way, the Royalist engaged in numerous small skirmishes with rebel forces and incurred a short delay when it was necessary to conquest and destroy a small castle in Timolin with their artillery. Ultimately after nine days, the Royalists reached New Ross.