It’s a simple fact that Grace O’Malley is a legendary figure throughout the Mayo region, and those interested in learning more about this historic woman will find there’s plenty to check out in the area. O’Malley came from a seafaring family in the Clew Bay area, and she stepped up to take an active role in this lifestyle at a young age. There are many interesting, dramatic stories about her—probably one of the most famous is that she gave birth to her son while at sea and was on the deck of the ship fighting off pirates not too long afterward. Sounds pretty fierce to me! O’Malley is also said to have met with Queen Elizabeth I to negotiate the release of members of her family, which she did successfully.
It’s not too difficult to travel to spots that recount some of these stories when visiting the Mayo region. (To be “in the know”, you may also hear her referred to as Granuaile, or her Gaelic name, Gráinne Ní Mháille.) Her moniker, “The Pirate Queen”, is pretty self-explanatory—she was a powerful person indeed—both at sea and on land where she fought many battles over the years. To many she symbolized a push-back against English tyranny as well.
To get to more of her story while visiting County Mayo, there are a number of places you may want to consider adding to your itinerary. Clare Island is home to the Abbey, where Grace is reported to be buried. The building, technically known as St. Brigid's Abbey, is a worthwhile visit on its own. Medieval paintings are featured prominently, as well as the O’Malley Family Tomb. It’s quite the historical site, dating back to the 12th century. There have been updates over the years, but care has been taken to preserve the wealth of history and culture that it houses.
Another prominent building on the island is Granuaile Castle, a tower-style house that dates back to the 16th century. It’s made of stone and can really serve to capture the imagination of all that went on on Clare Island back in the time Grace O’Malley lived, worked, and fought there.
The Westport House is another popular stop where you can take in some of the history of this region, and it too has a generous dose of that dedicated to Grace O’Malley for those who visit. People who take the tour will be treated to hearing her story, as well as being offered a good look at her dungeon area in the basement. Though she’s not the only topic on the tour here, her addition to the historic record of The Westport House’s land is certainly one of the most colorful pieces. You’ll see a lovely bronze statue of her on the grounds, and there’s also a Pirate Adventure Park that was inspired by her legacy as well. Be sure to get tickets ahead of time for this stop—you’ll find them at www.westporthouse.ie.
Ireland—of all countries—has no lack of historic tales featuring bravery, fights, and feats of grandeur. Grace O’Malley is certainly among them, and taking the time to delve into her colorful life while you’re in the Mayo region is well worth the time and effort spent. It won’t take much to see why her stories have survived and been passed down for all of these years.
We are visiting Westport and County Mayo on this year's Celtic Invasion Vacations. We still have space available fi you want to join me Ireland!
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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among other magazines, and for the Celtic Music Magazine for nearly 15 years. You can reach her through her website at CatherineLTully.com.
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