Responded Sep 7, 2016. Gráinne’s activities during her marriage to Dónal-an-Chogaidh may indicate that among her personal property were both galleys and men, a theory upheld by her possession of at least three galleys following his death. Holy war in Munster. In 1588 Spain launched its Armada against England. Gráinne, having lost everything, appealed directly to Elizabeth. Women retained control of any personal property they brought to the marriage and were entitled to acquire additional property independently of their husbands. In her petition to Elizabeth in 1593, Gráinne justified her activities of this time by explaining that. During this third term of office, his task was to introduce a new taxation system known as ‘composition’. Grace OMalley, also known as Gráinne Mhaol and The Sea Queen of Connacht, is a legendary figure in Irish folklore and one of the most renowned female pirates to have made her mark on history. She exploited the ignorance of English officials, and took what she could, when she could. Her real name is Gráinne Ní Mháille but she is better known by her nickname, Gráinne Mhaol. Later that year, following the death of the MacWilliam, Bingham conferred the title and lands on MacOliverus’s eldest son, over the claim of tánaiste Edmund Bourke of Castlebar. Gráinne was a member of the Gaelic aristocracy. A Changing Libraries Initiative - This site and all content is made available under respective copyrights. Settlement and plantation by English-born adventurers, many of whom acted as Crown officials, was encouraged and English writ began to penetrate to the farthest reaches of the island. Later historians ascribe the tale to Richard-na-Iarainn Bourke. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A deal was brokered with Murrough-an-dTuadh: in return for his submission he was granted overlordship of Iar Chonnacht, ousting not only the existing chieftain but putting Dónal-na-Chogaidh’s position as tánaiste in jeopardy. Henceforth, English monarchs would no longer be content to hold what they had in Ireland and seek only to halt the Gaelicisation of the Old English. On his return to Connacht, Gráinne bore the brunt of Bingham’s rage. Chambers, Granuaile: Ireland’s pirate queen c. 1530–1603 (Dublin, 2003). Once again, Gráinne set about rebuilding in the only way she knew. She remained based at Carraigahowley rather than returning to Umhall, which would have been a legal requirement under Gaelic law. . In 1584 Sir John Perrot was appointed lord deputy, and Sir Richard Bingham was made provincial president of Connacht. At the age of 53, Gráinne Ní Máille was a wealthy and independent woman. Settled on Clare Island, Under Gaelic law, Gráinne was unable to inherit O’Flaherty land, so she returned to Umhall and settled on Clare Island. She was also one of the last Irish leaders to defend against English rule in Ireland. . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In return for his son, Gráinne made the lord promise to leave his gate open to visitors and to set an extra place for every meal. Behind the myths of Grace O’Malley, pirate queen, and Gráinne Mhaol, icon of Ireland, stands Gráinne Ní Máille, a proud and courageous woman, determined to ensure that she and her family received their rights. . Personal Histories is an initiative by History Ireland, In May Richard-na-Iarainn invaded Richard MacOliverus’s land, using Malby’s troops, on the pretext of collecting rent arrears. . (National Portrait Gallery, London), We can only speculate as to Gráinne’s early years; little is known about the education of the Gaelic élite, male or female. www.grainnemhaol.com She controlled part of western Ireland for decades. giving them a chance to be heard, remembered and to Elizabeth recommended the release of Tibbot-na-Long and that monies be diverted from taxes on her sons’ estates to provide a pension for Gráinne. Gráinne Ní Máille is believed to have died in 1603. Tibbot-na-Long submitted. On his knighthood, she took the title Lady Bourke and accompanied him to official functions. . Nationalists later lionised her as Gráinne Mhaol, a warrior who would come over the sea with Irish soldiers to rout the English. Undoubtedly he was a hot-tempered and impetuous man, quick to take offence and to seek retribution. Realising that his adversary had been granted leave to return to sea without having to provide sureties or hostages for good behaviour, he ordered troops to accompany her and stationed a detachment on her lands, obliging her to feed them. As the legend goes, Gráinne wanted to go on a trading voyage with her father to Spain. While the petition was en route to London, the earl of Tyrone was secretly acting to begin a rebellion against the Crown. His descendents include many of the great Gaelic clans. She was the daughter of Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille,[2] chieftain of the Ó Máille clan. Her new husband’s territory comprised the north shore of Clew Bay, his main residence being at Carraigahowley. Elizabeth remained confident that Gráinne ‘as long as she lives, [will] continue a dutiful subject’. 1.3K likes. . She requested ‘some reasonable maintenance’ and the return of seized property in exchange for total allegiance. She became very angry, and kidnapped one of the lord’s sons. A series of measures were introduced to establish a centralised system of government and to Anglicise the entire population. Despite Bingham’s protests, Elizabeth agreed to hear Gráinne’s petition and have her claim investigated. Living within autonomous territories, they enjoyed traditional pastimes such as stealing cattle, poaching castles, feuding, intermarrying and vying for domination. . . With rebellion in Munster, Malby and de Wilton had no choice but to acquiesce to the couple’s demands, and on 16 April 1580 Richard-na-Iarainn was ennobled and given full title as the MacWilliam. Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol) Labeled by the English as “the nurse to all rebellions” and “director of thieves and murderers at sea,” the Chieftan Grace O’Malley exhibited the true Spirit of Irish independence when she came face to face with Queen Elizabeth and introduced her to the language of the Gael. Gráinne Mhaol is a legendary Irish pirate that lived in Ireland in the 16thcentury. Theresa D. Murray is a history undergraduate at University College Cork. Gráinne Mhaol is a legendary Irish pirate that lived in Ireland in the 16. [and] cruelly murdered having twelve deadly wounds’. In 1585 Perrot introduced another composition, re-offered Surrender and Regrant, and worked to abolish the clientship tributes. . In 1595 she sailed for London, where she requested to be allowed to ‘lyve secure of my life’. Somhairle Mór (Sumerled) was the first Gaelic king of the Isles. Gráinne fled to Ulster, whether to seek aid or because ‘fear compelled her to fly by sea’ is open to speculation. The Bourkes rose in rebellion, joined by among others the Uí Máilles, and secretly by Gráinne’s son-in-law Richard ‘the Devil’s Hook’ Bourke. . "Ireland's Pirate Queen Grainne Mhaol" returns to Westport Town Hall June 15th for a spectacular Show. In 1541 the MacWilliam Uachtarach—of the Galway Bourkes—became the earl of Clanricard. [where] every chieftain . One tale pertains to a refusal of hospitality by the earl of Howth. The marriage produced two sons and a daughter. Copyright © 2020 History Publications Ltd, Unit 9, 78 Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, Ireland | Tel. . Map of Ireland’s north-west coast c. 1600. . On learning that her son, Murrough-na-Moar, had sided with Bingham, she ‘burned his towen and spoiled his people of their cattayle and goods’. They existed as an independent clan, paying and receiving tribute. However, there exists no evidence for this form of marriage within the Gaelic legal codes. She is traditionally credited with attacks from Donegal to Waterford. Both families were very powerful in Connacht. Jul 31, 2019 - Explore Dawn Sanders's board "Grace O'Malley" on Pinterest. Fearing that Tibbot would be ‘executed before . Following the Battle of Shrule in 1570, the MacWilliam agreed to pay the Crown a yearly rent of 200 marks, though he died shortly afterward. Popular tradition relates that, owing to Dónal-an-Chogaidh’s ineptness, Gráinne assumed the mantle of chieftainship of the O’Flahertys. Show starts 8:00pm. Such property could include troops, ships and a plethora of other goods. She was also known as Gráinne Ní Mháille or Granuaile. Fearing that the Spanish would land in Ireland and unite with rebellious chieftains, the Crown recalled Bingham and replaced Perrot with Sir William Fitzwilliam. Response from Grainne Mhaol S, Guest Relations Manager at The Legend of Grainne Mhaol. The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol. At the end of the year Richard is reputed to have returned to Carraigahowley to find his clothes packed, doors locked and his wife dismissing him from the battlements. During her captivity Lord Grey de Wilton succeeded Sidney. The ethnic origin of those enemies was immaterial. The story of Clontarf, from battleground to garden suburb, Darkest Dublin: The story of the Church Street disaster and a pictorial account of the slums of Dublin in 1913. Richard-na-Iarainn and Gráinne combined forces and took to the field with a force of nearly 2000 men. In 1597 Tibbot-na-Long reached an advantageous accommodation with the Crown. Gráinne again faced Bingham’s vengeance; he plundered her territory, impounded her fleet and stationed ships in Clew Bay, leaving her propertyless with no means of rebuilding. Find information, photos & videos by location. Bingham claimed that Owen ‘being prisoner . This tradition continues to this day. As the daughter of a chieftain, Gráinne would have brought a substantial dowry, or spréidh, to the marriage. Elizabeth ordered Fitzwilliam to make peace with the Bourkes, and he, in turn, tried to rein Bingham in. Rockfleet tower-house, Carraigahowley, Clew Bay, main residence of Grace’s second husband, Richard-na-Iarainn Bourke. Strict laws governed all formal aspects of these relationships; a complex interdependency bound the families together in a hierarchical society in which status and pride were of paramount importance. Grace O'Malley A Brief History of Grace O'Malley. She finally became an icon of international feminism, both as an example of a strong and independent woman and as a victim of misogynistic laws. Gráinne was transferred to Dublin Castle in chains. Gráinne ‘byrned and spoyled the isles of Aran’. Grace O’Malley, Granuaile. Stringent sureties were required to ensure that this occurred, though wives were sometimes forced to seek legal redress. According to legend, she is buried on her family’s land on Clare Island but this has never been proven. Yet their later life raises another interpretation. We bring that same spirit to the heart of Downtown Jersey City. Composition of Connacht, The appointment of Sir Edward Fitton as provincial president in 1569 saw the Crown begin to make serious provision for the subjugation of Connacht. Her troubles, however, were only beginning. yt shall be lawful for you . 1.3K likes. Gráinne Ní Máille is believed to have died in 1603. Tradition credits Gráinne with exacting revenge. She was a woman who defied tradition and gender norms who took … Statue of Grainne Mhaol Ni Mhaille (Grace O'Malley, 1530-1603), the Irish Pirate, located at Westport House, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Some of the Bourkes refused to attend and barricaded themselves in Hag’s Castle at Lough Mask, which Bingham promptly attacked and demolished. Sir Richard Bingham. Bingham ordered his brother John to seize the lands of Gráinne’s son Owen. made his escape and in pursuit was slain’. Gráinne and Richard-na-Iarainn continued to present themselves as man and wife until his death. As part of the deal he agreed to rule by English law, to pay rent to the Crown, and to lodge and feed 200 soldiers for 42 days per annum. . One of the more persistent legends states that Gráinne’s marriage to Richard-na-Iarainn was provisional for one year. However, records at Howth Castle state that the arrangement was made with Gráinne. Dublin, its bordering counties and the coastal cities were technically English and regarded their hinterland with fear. Gráinne Ní Mháille was born in Ireland around 1530, when Henry VIII was on the throne of England. Grace O’Malley, Granuaile. sending unto you Grany O’Mayle’ impressed Elizabeth’s privy council. . She was a strong, brave woman but she was eventually arrested by the English in 1584 and Connacht was brought under English. Visit us at ThePirateGrace.com By late 1587 the Bourke rebellion had collapsed, and Bingham was sent to Flanders to aid the Dutch against Spain. She sailed from island to island along the west coast with her fleet of ships. Gráinne appears to have decided to have the best of both legal codes: she had possession of both MacWilliam property and her own. . The birth of the couple’s only child, Tibbot-na-Long, is also the stuff of legend. In the bottom left-hand corner, just west of Lough Mask (the second of the three lakes at the bottom), is indicated the territory of ‘Grany O Maile’. The succession problem re-erupted when Shane MacOliverus died and his brother claimed both title and land. Bingham issued orders to seek out and kill any survivors, playing close attention to the Devil’s Hook’s territory. . +353-1-293 3568, That field of glory. Gráinne acted to ensure that she got her ‘third’ and ‘gathered together all her own followers and with 1,000 head of cows and mares departed and became a dweller in Carraigahowley’; no doubt she also took her fleet. we really appreciate. Under Gaelic law the dowry, although available for use by the husband, had to be returned intact to the wife on dissolution of the marriage. Belfast 26 contributions 17 helpful votes. Thank you. N. Canny, Making Ireland British 1580–1650 (Oxford, 2001). The legend of the ‘pirate queen’ of Connacht was born. At this time King Henry VIII of England was trying to increase his rule across Ireland, but Gráinne and her family refused allow the English into Galway Bay. She was the only daughter of Eoghan Dubhdara (Black Oak) O’Malley and Margaret or Maeve Ní Mháille. . . Having met with little success, he returned in 1576 and summoned the lords to a meeting, during which he met ‘a most feminine sea captain called Granny Imallye and offered her services onto me’. Gráinne was an extremely tough woman, and feared along every coast in Ireland. Behind the myths of Grace O’Malley, pirate queen, and Gráinne Mhaol, icon of Ireland, stands Gráinne Ní Máille, a proud and courageous woman, determined to ensure that she and her family received their rights. Nevertheless, this subject of verse, music, romantic novels, documentaries and an interpretive centre remains shrouded in mystery. Sir Nicholas Malby, who had succeeded Fitton as provincial president of Connacht, was sent to quell the rebellion. In April 1583 Richard-na-Iarainn died of natural causes. He took Tibbot-na-Long hostage and had him incarcerated in Ballymote Castle for a year. Sidney noted her show of strength and concluded that ‘This was a notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland’. Click Here to go to the Personal Histories page. 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