Grainne Ni Mhaille
Pirate Queen of Ireland
Before the Golden Age of Piracy (1650s-1730s) there arose, out of Ireland, one of the most famous pirates in history; a woman named Grace O’Malley, or Grainee Ni Mhaille in Irish. Her story is fascinating.
There are about 100 known female pirates. Some of the most famous were: Cheng I Sao, Anne Bonny (born in Ireland), Mary Reed, Rachel Wall and of course, Grace O’Malley.
What led these women into a life of piracy, plunder, and murder? For Grace O’Malley, it may not be what you’re thinking.
Grace was born about 1530 at Belcare Castle near Westport, Ireland, in the Connacht region. Her father, a chieftain of the Clan O’Maille, was Eoghan (Owen) Dubhdara (Black Oak) O Maille. Her mother was Maeve or Margaret O Maille. Grace was their only legitimate child. (This is sometimes debated, as there is a brother or half-brother, Donal; but Grace is the only inheritor of all her father had.)
The O Maille motto, powerful by land and by sea, is most fitting. They ruled vast amounts of land in Ireland and controlled Clew bay. Grace was raised a royal child in a castle. She was well schooled and probably spoke many languages. She was trained in seafaring and politics. By all accounts, she had flaming red hair and a stern gaze.
Eoghan O Maille owned many ships and sailed to Spain, Scotland, and other places to trade. One story that personifies Grace’s temperament was when she was eleven-years-old. Supposedly, her father was setting sail and refused to take a young girl aboard ship with him. He told her that her hair was too long and would get caught in the ropes. She cut her hair. Either she snuck on board or he allowed her to accompany him, because she went with him. She is sometimes referred to as Grainne Mhaol, bald Grace, because of this.
How does any of this make Grace a pirate? Unfortunately, she was born at the time of the Tudor reconquest of Ireland. Queen Elizabeth 1 of England felt that by controlling Ireland, England would be safer from Spain and other invaders. Besides, there was all that rich land, cattle, sheep, and important ports. By sending troops to confiscate land, Grace, along with other loyal Irishmen, fought back.
But before all of that, her father married her to Donal (of the Battle) O Flaithbertaigh (O’Flaherty) when she was seventeen. Though a political match, it seemed like they got along well. He taught her pirating and more politics. They had three children; Eoghan O Flaithbertaigh, who was apparently kindhearted and well liked, Margaret/Maeve O Flaherty, who is said to be much like her mother. She married Richard (Devil’s hook) Bourke. He saved her life more than once. (Another great story there.) It was apparently a good marriage. And then there’s Murchad O Flaithbertaigh, reportedly the black sheep of the family. He liked to beat his sister and refused to listen to his mother because she was a woman.
Grace took over all of her father’s lands, castle, ships, and business when he died. Her husband, Donal was ambushed and murdered while on a hunting trip by a rival clan, the Joyces. Perhaps they thought they could take over some of Donal and Grace’s lands. They did not take into account Grace’s strong personality and leadership. Grace rallied her warriors, defeated the Joyces and killed the guilty men who had murdered her husband. She then took over all of Donal’s holdings on behalf of her sons. She had a private army of about two hundred men.
At some point, she recuses a sailor, Hugh de Lacy and they become lovers. The MacMahons, who must not have gotten the memo from the Joyces, killed Hugh. She attacked them at their castle, Doona, and slew her lover’s murderers. They nicknamed her ‘dark lady of Doona.’ She took control of the castle.
Then there is Richard, the Iron, Bourke, who was her second husband. There are two opposing stories about this marriage. One is ‘the love her life’ and the other is that it was a totally political marriage. In this version, once she got his castle, Rockfleet, she divorced him by saying,’ I dismiss you’. Rockfleet was more protected than her castle in Clew bay. It still stands today.
Either way, they fought the English and forged a political stronghold in Connaught. Even after the ‘divorce’, they reunited in order to keep their lands and to fight the English.
They had one son, Tibbot-na-long Bourke. The story goes; she was aboard ship when she gave birth to Tibbot. Hours, or maybe the next day, their ship was attacked by Algerian pirates. She left her berth and rallied her crew, fighting along side them. They ended up capturing the pirate’s ship.
An interesting story, also showcasing Grace’s personality is about Lord Howth. She sailed to visit but he was away and the gates were locked to visitors. She kidnapped his grandson and heir, Christopher St Lawerence. She released him after a promise from Lord Howth that Howth Castle doors will always remain open to unexpected visitors with a place for them ready at the table. It is honored to this day by the descendants.
Richard was to become the chief of all county Mayo. However, the reigning chief submitted to the English, putting Richard’s claim in danger. Grace marched with her army and navy to show her might. She plundered the Earl of Desmond’s land and was captured and imprisoned. He sent her to the dungeons of Dublin castle. Richard rebelled, demanding her release. The English freed Grace to stop Richard.
Lots more battles with the English on sea and on land…
In order to assure Richard’s becoming the Chief of Mayo, she brings in Scottish mercenaries, the Gallowglass. The English give in to her and Richard is made Chief.
Lots more battles with the English on sea and on land…
Richard dies. Rockfleet becomes Grace’s stronghold.
Enter Sir Richard Bingham. His major goal was to destroy Grace and her family. He has her oldest son, Owen murdered. Her son, Murchad, was part of the treachery that led to Owen’s death. Grace disowned Murchad and never spoke to him again.
More battles with the English…
Bingham says he wants a truce and tricks Grace to his headquarters. He arrests her and condemns her to death as a traitor. Her son-in-law rescues her.
Grace flees to Ulster where O’Neill and O’Donnel were plotting to unite the Irish, ally with Spain, and drive the English from Ireland. Unfortunately, the Spanish Armada encounters terrible storms and is destroyed.
Bingham declares war and says, ‘Grace is the nurse to all rebellions in Ireland’. He attacks in full force, destroying all of her ships. She fights back and takes an English ship. Bingham captures Tibbot and charges him with treason which carries a death sentence.
In a bold stroke, Grace writes to Queen Elizabeth 1 and requests an audience. The Queen agreed, much to the chagrin of Bingham.
In Sept 1593 they meet at Greenwich Castle, in England. Some accounts say they spoke Latin, but they probably conversed in English. Grace requested the release of her son and to have her lands returned to her. The Queen agreed, if Grace would cease warring with the English. Grace agreed. This worked for a while.
The end Result: the land Bingham stole was not returned; Bingham was later reinstated. Grace and clan go back to supporting Irish insurgents against the English. This led to the Nine years’ war, 1594-1603 which was the largest conflict against English rule in the Elizabethan era.
Grace was still leading her men in battle at the age of 67!
She died about 1603 at Rockfleet castle. At the time of her death she owned five castles.
Irish historian and novelist Anne Chambers, in her 2006 biography of O’Malley, described her as: “a fearless leader, by land and by sea, a political pragmatist and politician, a ruthless plunderer, a mercenary, a rebel, a shrewd and able negotiator, the protective matriarch of her family and tribe, a genuine inheritor of the Mother Goddess and Warrior Queen attributes of her remote ancestors. Above all else, she emerges as a woman who broke the mould and thereby played a unique role in history.”
In Westport house, in Co Mayo, there stands a statue, and an exhibition on Grace’s life by Anne Chambers. Westport House was built by John Browne and his wife, Maude, a great great granddaughter of Grace.
Why isn’t there a movie about her? If not Hollywood, Ireland should make one. Grace O’Malley has become iconic with Irish rebellion and was as bad-ass as they come. Would you watch a movie about her life and exploits?
Here are some excellent sites with more detailed information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCSckpGE5OQ History’s forgotten people
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/grace-o-malley-pirate-history-fact-fiction-legend
All Things *Ancient* Irish 