Over 400 years ago Granuaile became a legend. As both Pirate Queen and Chieftain of the O'Malley clan, Granuaile or Grace O'Malley, challenged the accepted ideas of sixteenth century Ireland. She manipulated the turbulent political environment, ignoring conventions, to become one of the most powerful leaders in the country. Using state papers and manuscripts of the period, Anne Chambers reveals the woman behind the legend.
This is the true story of Grace O'Malley, or Granuaile, who ruled on land and sea in Connaught over 400 years ago. A Pirate Queen and Chieftain, she became a legend. We meet Grace as a young girl on Ireland's west coast. Her father is a strong chieftain and loves the sea. Despite her parents' objections, Grace becomes a better sailor than any of her father's crew and so the adventures of the Pirate Queen begin. We set sail on her galley to Spain where war with England affects Grace and Ireland. We meet her husbands, Donal of the Battles and Richard in Iron, and are on board ship for her son's birth and pirate attacks. After many escapades we sail to London for her famous meeting with Queen Elizabeth I. And we stay with her in her castle at Rock Fleet where she dies in 1603. This non-fiction account is a must for children who love Irish history! Similar to: Michael Collins: Most Wanted Man by Vincent McDonnell and Tom Crean: Ice Man by Michael Smith.
Grace O'Malley is the story of one remarkable woman's quest for survival and fulfilment, by land and by sea. In 1979, Anne Chambers' original biography of Ireland's pirate queen, airbrushed from historical record over the centuries, put her on the map once again. The biography became a milestone in Irish publishing and the catalyst for the restoration of Grace O'Malley to political, social and maritime history, as well as establishing her as an inspirational female role model. In the 40th anniversary edition of this international bestselling biography, drawn from rare contemporary manuscript records, the author presents Ireland's great pirate queen not as a vague mythological figure but as one of the world's most extraordinary female leaders. Political pragmatist and tactician, rebel, intrepid mariner and pirate, wife, lover, mother, grandmother and matriarch, the 'most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland', Grace O'Malley challenged and triumphed over the social and political barriers she encountered in the course of her long, pioneering life. This updated edition brings one of the world's first recorded feminist trailblazers to a new generation awakened to the global focus on gender equality as well as positive ageing. Praise for Anne Chambers' Granuaile: 'Draws a vivid picture of the trailblazing pirate queen.' Irish Examiner 'You cannot be what you cannot see, and with women all too often airbrushed from history, the importance of this biography cannot be underestimated.' Orla O'Connor, Director, National Women's Council of Ireland 'A superbly researched work ... it salvages the 16th century Mistress of the Western Waves from the rather frivolous folklore which surrounds her.' The Irish Times 'A historical reality which is equally if not more compelling than the legend.' Sunday Tribune 'Grace O'Malley ... a woman who can truly claim to have been 400 years before her time ... and Anne Chambers' biography is as innovative as its subject.' Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach of Ireland
The story of one remarkable woman's quest for survival and fulfilment, by land and by sea, in a time of profound political upheaval and male chauvinistic bias. Grace O'Malley was the original trail-blazer and mould-breaker.
"A true daughter of the fearsome O'Malley clan, Grace spent her life wishing to join the fight to keep Henry VIII's armies from invading her homeland of Ireland -- only to be told again and again that the battlefield is no place for a woman. But after English conspirators brutally murder her husband, Grace can no longer stand idly by. Leading men into battle on the high seas, Grace O'Malley quickly gains a formidable reputation as the Pirate Queen of Ireland with her prowess as a sailor and skill with a sword. But her newfound notoriety puts the lives of Grace and her entire family in danger and eventually leads to a confrontation with the most powerful woman in England: Queen Elizabeth I."--publishers website.
Granuaile ruled on land and sea in the province of Connaught over 400 years ago. A Pirate Queen and Irish Chieftain, she became a legend. This is the story of Granuaile's Ireland, divided into 'kingdoms' ruled by chieftains. Her father is the strong chieftain of Umhall and Granuaile wishes to sail the clan's ships to Spain and Scotland for trade. Trapped by her gender, Granuaile proves a better sailor than any of her father's men and is eventually accepted. Her story continues through wars, husbands, giving birth on board ship, and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth I.
Learn about Ireland's original rebel girl in this exciting new series of inspirational Irish lives In an exciting new series of books for children, John and Fatti Burke go deeper into the lives and subjects first introduced in Irelandopedia, Historopedia and Foclóiropedia. This first book focusses on Granuaile, the daughter of a great trader and sea captain, Eoghan O'Malley of Mayo. Living in a castle on Clare Island 500 years ago, Granuaile spent her childhood on the sea in boats of all shapes and sizes. Granuaile's parents wanted her to do what other girls did, to be a good girl and get married and settle down. But Granuaile had other ideas... This superb illustrated book on this historic icon and fearless leader is a must to begin every child's collection of inspiring Irish lives.
The story of Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen, is told in storybook format so that the youngest of readers can be inspired by her heroic personality. Written in the rhythm and rhyme of an Irish ballad, the story of this Chieftain, pirate, and warrior is sure to inspire. This is a great resource for Women's and Irish history lessons.
Trapped in a loveless marriage to the cruel local English landlord, Gracelin O'Malley becomes caught up in the political unrest that sweeps across Ireland in the wake of a devastating famine, risking everything to aid the desperate and starving people and harboring Irish rebels, including her own brother. Original.
