The Story of Grace O’Malley – Pirate Queen

The Tale of Grace O’Malley – The Pirate Queen

In the town of Newport County Mayo, you will see an impressive statue of Grace O’ Malley. Designed by artist, Mark Rode the statue commemorates Ireland’s famous pirate queen.

Born in 1530 on the shore of Clew Bay, Grace O’Malley grew up at the family castles of Belclare and Clare Island. It’s likely that she would have been educated at the local monastery. Upon her father’s death, she took over the lordship of the clan. Both on land and at sea, Grace became a key figure on the west coast of Ireland in the 16th century. A letter to the Tudor court describes her as “the nurse to all rebellions in the province for 40 years”.

Ireland at the time was great cattle rearing country, and the wealth of every chieftain was numbered not on the acres of land he had, but on the number of cattle these acres could support. Cattle raiding was part of Grace’s life, and her galley ships would have been able to take some of the animals on board.

English historical records state that Grace’s galley ships were substantial in size, and each could carry around 200 men. Her galleys were a development of the original Viking longship – thus the inspiration for the statue. They were shallow, wooden-hulled, and clinker-built, and were powered by as many as 30 oars. The ships were very versatile and could sail close to the shoreline.

Grace and her clan became wealthy by taking tolls on ships which she maintained were passing illegally through waters controlled by the O’Malley clan. The O’Malley’s had long-established trade links with Spain from where they imported items such as iron, weapons, and wine in exchange for barrels of salted fish, pine marten skins, fleeces, cattle hides and tallow. Legend tells us how Grace slept in the castle with a thread from her foot to her fleet of ships. If by chance there was a raid on the ships , the twitch on the thread would awaken her and she would immediately rouse her troops to ward off the attackers !

In 1603 at the age of 73, Grace passed away at Carraigahowley , or Rockfleet castle that is located a few miles out of town perched on the water’s edge.

Built in the mid-fifteenth century Rockfleet Castle has four floors and is over eighteen metres in height looking out towards the drumlins of Clew Bay. Though entry to the castle was once available to the public, it is now strictly prohibited as refurbishment is under way.

Grace herself has inspired some of our Connemara Marble Jewelry pieces and if you would like to take a look you can visit www.connemaramarble.com

Slán for now!

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