The kingdom was the last area in Ireland to fall to English occupation after the defeat of the Irish forces in the Nine Years' War. As the Confederation of Irish clans collapsed following Kinsale, Brian Óg banned Rory O'Donnell from entering West Breifne's territory in order to preserve the kingdom's dwindling resources. Despite this, O'Donnell was welcomed into Munitir Eolais in the summer of 1602 and given shelter for his soldiers, cattle and spoils of war "so that the English seized no portion of them; and the English of Athlone returned to their homes without gaining any victory on that day". This was a final exercise of autonomy for the Mac Raghnaill chiefs.