To my classmates and lecturer Catherine Swift in Mary Immaculate College.

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storyj.mp/a7y7ptj6yyu

Gráinne Mhaol is a legendary Irish pirate that lived in Ireland in the 16thcentury. She sailed from island to island along the west coast with her fleet of ships. She raided as she went, building up a great hoard of wealth and earning her title as the Pirate Queen. She was also one of the last Irish leaders to defend against English rule in Ireland.

Gráinne was born into the Ó Máille family (O’Malley) in 1530. They were a noble, seafaring family that lived in Co. Mayo and her father was chieftain of his clan.

She is known by different names e.g. Grace O’Malley, Granuaile. Her real name is Gráinne Ní Mháille but she is better known by her nickname, Gráinne Mhaol.

As the legend goes, Gráinne wanted to go on a trading voyage with her father to Spain. She was told she could not go because her beautiful long hair would catch in the ropes. This made her very angry, so she decided to cut off all her hair! Her father had no more excuses, so he had to let her on board. This is how she got her nickname ‘Gráinne Mhaol’; in Irish, maol means ‘bald’!

Gráinne was an extremely tough woman, and a feared along every coast in Ireland. Once, when she was on a trip to Dublin, she wanted to rest at Howth Castle. However, the lord would not open the gates to her. She became very angry, and kidnapped one of the lord’s sons. In return for his son, Gráinne made the lord promise to leave his gate open to visitors and to set and extra place for every meal. This tradition continues to this day!

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To my classmates and lecturer Catherine Swift in Mary Immaculate College.

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/a7y7ptj6yyu

Gráinne was born into the Ó Máille family (O’Malley) in 1530. They were a noble, seafaring family that lived in Co. Mayo and her father was chieftain of his clan.

She is known by different names e.g. Grace O’Malley, Granuaile. Her real name is Gráinne Ní Mháille but she is better known by her nickname, Gráinne Mhaol.