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 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.
 
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