Grace O’Malley (1530-1603)(Gráinne Ni Mháille in Irish, nicknamed Granuaile), was an Irish pirate who has become a legend in Irish culture. A woman of character and great courage, she devoted her life to piracy, and distinguished herself in numerous battles, both on land and at sea…
Grace O’Malley was born in Ireland around 1530, in a particularly tense climate of conflict between Ireland and England, ruled by Henry VIII at the time. Grace’s father, Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Maille, is the head of a large Connaught family: the O’Malleys. The latter were above all a family of sailors, who extended their power over all the region’s fishermen by offering numerous commercial shipments to France and Spain.
As a child, Grace O’Malley was a fearless and courageous little girl. She discovered a real passion for boats and sea expeditions. She’s already dreaming of exploration and adventure.
His father, reluctant at first, teaches him everything a sailor needs to know… He teaches him the rudiments of navigation, how to find his bearings and follow a course, and the principle of hierarchy on board…
Grace O’Malley is won over. This teaching reinforced his desire to take to the open seas.
So much so, that legend has it that as a teenager, the young woman asked to follow her father on a trade expedition to Spain.
But Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Maille considers that a woman has no place on a ship. True to the principles of the time, he refused, claiming that his long hair could get caught in the ropes of the boat’s sails.
Angered, Grace O’Malley decided to cut her hair and go bald. It was this attitude that earned him the Gaelic nickname Granuaile, meaning “bald” or “hairless”. The name has stuck ever since, and the Irish still refer to it as such.
However, her father remained firm: he refused to allow his daughter to board his ships, and invited her to continue her education. At this time, Grace O’Malley lived under the care of a nanny, and received a strict education, learning Latin, English, Spanish and Scottish Gaelic.
Grace O’Malley married Donal O’Flaherty in 1546, and they had 3 children: Owen, Margaret and Murrough.
Unfortunately, Grace O’Malley lost her husband in battle, and decided to take on the defense of her family’s estate (the O’Flahertys and O’Malleys owned numerous castles and lands). She recruited supporters loyal to her late husband’s cause, moved them to her headquarters, and organized numerous battles to gain control of Clew Bay, a famous Irish bay famous for its hundreds of islets.
Her main enemies include the Joyce clan, from whom her husband had taken Cock’s Castle, a superb fortress built on the shores of Lough Corrib.
But when the Joyce clan learn of Donal O’Flaherty’s death, they set their sights on reclaiming the castle.
But Grace O’Malley’s recklessness prevents them from doing so, bravely defending her castle and even melting lead from the roof to pour it on the attackers.
Such is her bravery, that the Joyces finally submit, and the young woman’s recommendation travels the length and breadth of Ireland.
Eventually, Grace O’Malley gained full control of Clew Bay, and instituted a tax on local residents and ships sailing the surrounding waters.
His ambition, his talent for fighting, coupled with his actions, considered as racketeering, are then assimilated to acts of piracy. Over the years, his ships and troops have expanded, welcoming bloodthirsty mercenaries and other sympathizers to his cause, and imposing his law on land and at sea. It’s now official: Grace O’Malley is a pirate!
In 1566, Grace O’Malley married Richard Burke. Marriage is subject to the Brehon law (a law authorizing divorce in the event of incompatibility observed during the first year of cohabitation).
Numerous theories attest to the fact that this marriage was in fact a means for the pirate to consolidate her power, and acquire additional lands, such as Rockfleet Castle, her new husband’s castle.
During their first year of married life, the couple gave birth to a son, Tibbot Burke, in 1567. But strangely enough, a few months later, Grace O’Malley filed for divorce, taking over Rockfleet Castle, much to Richard Burke’s anger.
On paper, however, and as far as the British authorities are concerned, the couple will remain married for the rest of their lives…
Always surrounded by a strong army, Grace O’Malley tried to curry favor with the English by donating 200 men to help them in their fight against Scotland and Ireland.
For her part, she attacked numerous ships to acquire their riches, laid siege to fortresses, and recovered her parents’ inheritance, which consisted of land, horses and other fortresses.
Grace O’Malley’s activities soon made her many enemies, and she saw her 2 sons and brother kidnapped by an English nobleman.
Mad with rage, the pirate finally resolved to sail to England to meet Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), to order their release. This meeting is still considered a major event today, bringing together 2 women of strong character and boundless power.
After a conversation in Latin, Grace O’Malley finally obtained the release of her loved ones, and returned to Ireland to continue her piratical activities.
Henceforth, she decided to target the English and other sympathizers of the English Crown. After years of piracy, power struggles and war expeditions, she died at Rockfleet in 1603… becoming the greatest Irish pirate history has ever known.
Her militant actions and courage have made her a true symbol of resilience and resistance in Ireland. Even today, his name is hailed, and inspires a mixture of admiration and respect.
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