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Grainne Ni Mhaille

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Marker illustration -  October 2016

Grainne Ni Mhaille, also called Grace O'MalleyGráinne, Granuaile, "The Pirate Queen of Clew Bay" or "The Sea Queen of Connacht" was a well-known 16th-century Irish chieftain and pirate.

Following in the footsteps of her father Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille, and his only legitimate offspring, s
he became after his death cheiftan of the Ó Máille clan and inherited his large shipping and trading business The O'Malley taxed all those who fished off their coasts, which included fishermen from as far away as England. This was considered illegal by the English rulers and therefore called piracy. Grace was a product of the Gaelic world of her time and, despite her interaction with English officials, may have known no English. She nonetheless spoke latin, was apparently well-educated and was regarded by contemporaries as being exceptionally formidable and competent.
The income from her shipping business, the land inherited from her mother, and the property and holdings from her first husband, Dónal an Chogaidh (Dónal "the warlike") Ó Flaithbheartaigh, allowed her to become very wealthy. In 1593, when her sons were taken captive by an English governor, Sir Richard Bingham, O'Malley sailed to England to petition for their release. She formally presented her request to Elizabeth I at her court and refused to bow before her for a Queen does not have to bow before another Queen. Queen Elizabeth was impressed by Grace boldness and by the end of their interview the 2 women came to an agreement that Grace's sons would be released and Sir Bingham removed from his position in Ireland as long as Grace stopped supporting the Irish Lords' rebellions against England.


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Frenchef's avatar

Wow Aurelie, you are so talented! I hope to see more of your work!