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Today is one of the days I like to talk about Grace O’Malley, famed Irish pirate. My daughter’s name is Grace O’Malley...

Grace O’Malley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_o%27malley

Grace O’Malley
c. 1530 – c. 1603

The meeting of Grace O’Malley and Queen Elizabeth I
Nickname: Gráinne Mhaol, Granuaile
Type: Pirate
Place of birth: Connaught, Ireland
Place of death: most likely Rockfleet Castle
Allegiance: Ireland
Battles/wars: Nine Years War (Ireland)
Gráinne Ní Mháille (c. 1530 – c. 1603), also known as Granuaile or Gráinne Mhaol, known in English as Grace O’Malley, is an important figure in Irish folklore, but was in fact a larger-than-life figure from 16th century Irish history. O’Malley is sometimes known as “The Sea Queen Of Connaught”. Her name appears in contemporary documents as Gráinne Ui Mháille, Gráinne Umhaill. Anglicized versions of her name in contemporary English state papers included Grany O’Maly, Grany Imallye, Granny Nye Male, Grany O’Mayle, Granie ny Maille, Granny ni Maille, Grany O’Mally, Grayn Ny Mayle, Grane ne Male, Grainy O’Maly, and Granee O’Maillie.[1] She has been biographed primarily in the 20th and 21st century by the historian Anne Chambers. The Irish song “Oró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile” is dedicated to her. Her story is currently being made into a feature film.

Legendary Exploits
Many folk stories and legends about Ní Mháille have survived since her actual days of pirating and trading. There are also traditional songs and poems about her.

A widespread legend concerns an incident at Howth, which apparently occurred in 1576. During a trip from Dublin, Ní Mháille attempted to pay a courtesy visit to Howth Castle, home of the 8th Baron Howth. However, she was informed that the family was at dinner and the castle gates were closed against her. In retaliation, she abducted the Earl’s son and heir, the 10th Baron. He was eventually released when a promise was given to keep the gates open to unexpected visitors, and to set an extra place at every meal. Lord Howth gave Ní Mháille a ring as pledge on the agreement. The ring remains in the possession of a descendant of Gráinne Ní Mháille, and at Howth Castle today, this agreement is still honoured by the Gaisford St. Lawrence family, descendants of the Baron.[25]

The legendary reason for Ní Mháille’s seizure of Doona Castle in Ballycroy was because the MacMahons, who owned the castle, killed her lover, Hugh de Lacy, the shipwrecked son of a Wexford merchant Ní Mháille had rescued. When the guilty members of the MacMahon clan landed on the holy island of Caher for a pilgrimage, Ní Mháille captured their boats. She and her men then captured the MacMahons and killed those responsible for her lover’s death. Still not satisfied with her revenge, Ní Mháille then sailed for Ballycroy and attacked the garrison at Doona Castle, overpowering the defenders and taking the castle for herself.[15]

Her attack against the MacMahons was not the first time she interrupted someone at their prayers. Legend tells of another chieftain who stole property from Ní Mháille and fled to a church for sanctuary. Ní Mháille was determined to wait out the thief, maintaining that he could starve or surrender. The thief dug a tunnel and escaped, however, and the hermit who took care of the church broke his vow of silence to scold her for attempting to harm someone who had sought sanctuary. Gráinne’s reply is not included in the legend.[26]

[edit] Revolutionary Activity
In 1593, in his letter to Queen Elizabeth I protesting Gráinne Ní Mháille’s claims against him, Richard Bingham claimed that Ní Mháille was “nurse to all rebellions in the province for this forty years”.[22][27]

Ní Mháille engaged in revolutionary activity against the English crown. Her castle at Clare Island was attacked by an expedition from Galway intended to get rid of her. However, they were put to flight and barely escaped. Later Ní Mháille was captured, but released some time afterward.