The Irish Pirate Queen

As we near the month of March, we start to think of St. Patrick's Day and all things Irish.  I would like to take a moment to raise a frosty mug (of root beer) in honor of one of Ireland's native daughters.  Grace "Granuaile" O'Malley.

This lady pirate has inspired numerous ballads like Molly and the Tinker's "Grania" and even a Broadway musical about her life entitled The Pirate Queen.  I am still waiting on the motion picture and the ladies of Swords and Roses are willing to be a part of this picture should a casting director/producer be reading this right now.

All jesting aside, here is a small tribute to Captain Grace O'Malley the Irish Pirate Queen.

Born in 1530, in Connaught, Ireland to O'Malley clan chieftain Owen "Black Oak" O'Malley, Grace grew up in Belcare fortress.  The clan's motto was Terra marique potens (Powerful by land and by sea).   The O'Malley's were a success at fishing and piracy and Black Oak taught his daughter about both trades.  Grace sailed with Black Oak and observed his leadership skills which would prove useful in the not so distant future when she was married to another clan chief.

At age 16, Grace married Donal O'Flaherty and moved into his clan's castle at Bunowen near present day Connemara.  Donal was nicknamed Donal of the Battles, which was appropriate since he was constantly battling neighboring clans.  Donal's battles were affecting the family income, so Grace took matters in her own hand and started pirating along the coast near the O'Flaherty clan's castle.

Around 1564, Donal was killed in one of his battles leaving Grace a widow with three children to raise.  The nearby Joyce clan decided to attack the O'Flaherty castle.  Grace defended the castle so artfully that clans nearby renamed the castle Hen's Castle, which is what it is still known as today.

 In spite of the fact that Grace defended the castle, the clan followed tradition and made one of Donal's cousins chieftain.  Grace and her children returned to Black Oak's clan and lands.  Out of loyalty, many of Donal's men rejected tradition and followed Grace to her father's land.  When Black Oak died, Grace took over his lands and his fleet even though the clan would not officially recognize her as Chieftain.  Grace did not let the lack of a title bother her.  She continued her pirating with at least 3 galleys and a few small ships.

One of our favorite stories about Grace in our Swords and Roses circle is the one I am about to relate to you...
          When Grace was in her thirties, she gave birth to her fourth child, Theobald, on board her ship.  The next day, Grace's ship was attacked by Algerian pirates.  When her crew was close to losing the ship, the acting captain came below decks to inform Grace of the bad news.  Grace got up from her bed rest, handed the tiny Theobald to the captain, and went up on deck to "motivate" her crew as only a mother can.  Her crew rallied and defeated the Algerians.  Grace cursed her crew with "May you be seven times worse off this day twelve months, who cannot do without me for one day!"

Tiny Theobald would grow up to be known as Toby of the Ships and become a pirate like his mother.  Unfortunately, Toby would cross the English monarchy too many times and actually be caught and imprisoned by Governor Richard Bingham in the name of  Queen Elizabeth.  The summer of 1593, at the age of 63 Grace sailed to England to meet with the Queen.  Grace was granted audience to Elizabeth's court.

                                                  Two Queens meet for the first time

Grace explained to Queen Elizabeth the cruelty that she and her people had endured from Lord Richard Bingham.  Elizabeth explained her disgust at having her ships liberated of their goods.  The two came to an agreement.  Grace would get a little compensation for the remaining time she had on this earth and the release of her son.  Elizabeth would get Grace's sword and fire directed at the Queen's enemies for the remainder of Grace's life.  The Governor Richard Bingham was arrested a little while later on unrelated charges saving the Grace's people from his tyranny.

Records indicate that Grace pirated until 1601 and that she died of natural causes sometime around 1603.

Happy Sailing, Captain Grace!


For more information, check out...Booty:Girl Pirates on the High Seas by Sara Lorimer