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Self-Catering / Rental John & Bernadette Walsh
Accommodation
Also Available
Town
or Country
The
deeds of the legendary sea-pirate, Grainne
O'Malley are all the more extraordinary
when you consider that she was born at a
time when women had had very little power
in the outside world. Evidence shows that
she was an astute business woman, an
exceptional sailor and a courageous
fighter.
Born the only legitimate child of Owen
'Black Oak' O'Malley about 1530, she
earned her nickname Grainne Mhaol (bald)
when, after being rebuked by her mother
for wanting to sail as it was not a
ladylike pursuit, she cut off all her hair
to be like a boy. Her father was so amused
that he took her to sea.
She was married to Donal O'Flaherty of Iar
Connact about 1546 and immediately set
about rejuvenating the area by educating
the people about fishing and trade. The
O'Flahertys were prohibited from trading
through Galway City, (at that time a major
European Port), and so traded
independently with Munster, Ulster,
Scotland , Spain and Portugal. Many fights
ensued over trading rights and it was in
one of these that Grainne's husband was
killed. She herself finished off the fight
and later returned to her fathers
territory to make a home for herself on
Clare Island. Many of her late husbands
men were totally dedicated to her and went
along.
There was only a small part of Clew Bay
that did not belong to the Clan O'Malley
namely the land around Rockfleet Castle
and Grainne was determined to take it off
the Burkes. She married Richard 'Iron
Dick' Burke under Brehon Law which
maintains that after one year the couple
may divorce, keeping half of the partners
assets, if the marriage is unsatisfactory.
Legend has it that one year later Richard
returned from a conquest only to find
Grainne's men guarding the castle and with
the words' I dismiss you' Grainne claimed
Rockfleet as her own.
Another story tells of how she gave birth
to her son Tibbot-na-Long, on board one of
her galleys. The following day Grainne's
fleet was attacked by Turkish pirates.
After a long battle, supervised by
Grainne, the Turks were overcome and their
ships assimilated into Grainne's
fleet.
Ever the pragmatist, she offered her
services to the English Governor Sir Henry
Sidney to keep her territory and people
safe. But when Sidney was replaced by Sir
Richard Bingham, a man determined to
abolish all Irish customs and powers, she
found it much harder to keep the peace.
For many years they fought as arch enemies
until Bingham imprisoned her half-brother
and son, threatening them with execution.
In 1593 Grainne went above Bingham's head
and petitioned Queen Elizabeth I directly.
Later that year an event took place that
has gone down in history as The Meeting of
Queens'. Grainuale went to London and
entered Queen Elizabeth's Court barefoot
in traditional Irish dress. The two women
appeared to respect each other since and
agreement was made. Grainne's brother and
son were released and she was allowed to
maintain her fleet on the condition that
she use them to protect 'Her Majestie's
waters'.
Grainuale is said to have died of old age
in Rockfleet around 1603.
Angling
Attractions
Events
History
News
Scenic
Drives
Links
"Rocksberry"
Westport Road
Castlebar
County Mayo
Ireland
