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Grace O'Malley - Irelands Pirate Queen
Gráinne Mhaol - Granuaile “Grace the Bald”
As a young girl, Grace was determined to be Once the property of Graces’ second husband Richard
a sailor like her father. Deeming sailing Burke whom she married in 1566. They had made an
to be an uncouth activity for young ladies, he agreement that either partner could terminate the
resisted her efforts. Nonetheless, as befitting marriage after one year. Not content to continue their
her legendary Charachter – young Grace
shaved off all of her hair – earning her the arrangement, Grace barricaded herself into Rockfleet,
nickname “Gráinne Mhaol”. slammed the door in Burke’s face and made the
Grace O Mally, or Gráinne Mhaol as she castle her own – sending him packing!
was also known, was a firebrand - a Remarkable bravery combined with sailing skills
woman of steely determination and
courage. ensured that she controlled shipping along most of
Castles once owned by Grace the West Coast of Ireland. Needless to say, she
O Mally may be seen all over became very wealthy. Legend has it that she
Mayo. One of her castles kept all her ships tied up to a lawster passed
was known as “The Cocks through a hole in her castle wall and tied
Castle” named after her to her bedpost!
husband Donal, whom she Grace ‘O Mally was the only Irish
married at age sixteen woman ever to be received at the court
bearing three children. of England. When Sir Richard Bingham
“The Cock” was his became Governor of Connaught and
given nickname for confiscated all of Grace’s lands and
courage in Battle. posessions Grace went to England to
This castle petition the Queen, Elizabeth 1st. She
had been offered to attack the Queens enemies
captured off the coast of Ireland in return for the
from the return of her lands. “The wild grandeur
Joyces. After of her mien erect and high, before the
Donal was killed English Queen she dauntless stood”.
and Grace defended the She must have impressed the Queen
castle after the Joyces tried for Elizabeth 1st agreed to all of her
to recapture it- it became demands.
known as “The Hens Grace ‘O Mally is buried in the
castle”! Cistercian Abbey in Clare Island under
On the northern shores an inscription of Terra Marique Potens
of Clew Bay you will - “Invincible on Land or Sea”, her family
find another of Grace’s motto. She died in 1603.
castles, “Rockfleet”.
202
Gráinne Mhaol - Granuaile “Grace the Bald”
As a young girl, Grace was determined to be Once the property of Graces’ second husband Richard
a sailor like her father. Deeming sailing Burke whom she married in 1566. They had made an
to be an uncouth activity for young ladies, he agreement that either partner could terminate the
resisted her efforts. Nonetheless, as befitting marriage after one year. Not content to continue their
her legendary Charachter – young Grace
shaved off all of her hair – earning her the arrangement, Grace barricaded herself into Rockfleet,
nickname “Gráinne Mhaol”. slammed the door in Burke’s face and made the
Grace O Mally, or Gráinne Mhaol as she castle her own – sending him packing!
was also known, was a firebrand - a Remarkable bravery combined with sailing skills
woman of steely determination and
courage. ensured that she controlled shipping along most of
Castles once owned by Grace the West Coast of Ireland. Needless to say, she
O Mally may be seen all over became very wealthy. Legend has it that she
Mayo. One of her castles kept all her ships tied up to a lawster passed
was known as “The Cocks through a hole in her castle wall and tied
Castle” named after her to her bedpost!
husband Donal, whom she Grace ‘O Mally was the only Irish
married at age sixteen woman ever to be received at the court
bearing three children. of England. When Sir Richard Bingham
“The Cock” was his became Governor of Connaught and
given nickname for confiscated all of Grace’s lands and
courage in Battle. posessions Grace went to England to
This castle petition the Queen, Elizabeth 1st. She
had been offered to attack the Queens enemies
captured off the coast of Ireland in return for the
from the return of her lands. “The wild grandeur
Joyces. After of her mien erect and high, before the
Donal was killed English Queen she dauntless stood”.
and Grace defended the She must have impressed the Queen
castle after the Joyces tried for Elizabeth 1st agreed to all of her
to recapture it- it became demands.
known as “The Hens Grace ‘O Mally is buried in the
castle”! Cistercian Abbey in Clare Island under
On the northern shores an inscription of Terra Marique Potens
of Clew Bay you will - “Invincible on Land or Sea”, her family
find another of Grace’s motto. She died in 1603.
castles, “Rockfleet”.
202
