Notes

By: Savanna

Birth

• Grace was born in the early part of the sixteenth century, Grace was the only daughter of Dudara and Margaret O’Malley. Dudara (Black Oak) ruled Umhall, the country around island-strew Clew Bay.

Notes • “Grace O'Malley (also called Granuaile) was a famous pirate,

female, she was discouraged repeatedly.”seafarer, trader and chieftain in Ireland in the 1500's. She was born in 1530 in County Mayo, Ireland and was the daughter of sea captain Owen O'Malley.

• As a young child, Grace always knew she wanted to be a sailor but as a As a young child, she had to sail with her father on trading missions across seas. One day, they where attacked by an English vessel. Grace was always told that if they where attacked that she would have to go hide under the deck, although she was always told that she did not. Instead, she climbed up to the sail rigging. She noticed that an English pirate was sneaking up on her father, he started to raise a knife, to stab him. So she jumped onto the pirates back stopping him from killing her father. This caused a distraction, so one of the crew members regained control of the ship and they defeated the pirates.

Notes

• In 1538, when Grace was about eight the English power drew closer to the coast of Ireland. Until this time the O’Malley’s had watched the affairs of the country. Independent Chieftains ruled each of the state. Grace grew up min a period of relative freedom from outside powers.

Notes

• “She spent about five years of her life learning the ways of the seas, and grew to be a pretty good sailor. She eventually had her own fleet of ships. After that, her family became very wealthy, but mostly from trade and fishing.”

• She spent about five years of her life learning the ways of the seas, and grew to be a pretty good sailor. She eventually had her own fleet of ships. After that, her family became very wealthy, but mostly from trade and fishing.

Notes • “In her later years, Grace developed her reputation as a fearless

leader through her efforts in battle along side her followers. Legend has it that Grace gave birth to one of her sons while out to sea. The very next day following the birth of the baby, the ship was attacked by Turkish pirates. Though exhausted from giving birth Grace grabbed a gun, went on deck and proceeded to rally her men against the Turks, forcing their retreat. “

• Instead of fight against the pirates, she fought with them, and she was fearless. Legend has it that she gave birth to one of her sons at sea. They say that the very next day, they were attacked by Turkish pirates. Although grace was tried from giving birth, she grabbed a gun went out on deck and preceded to kill the pirates. Although Grace was a very successful leader, the Irish law did no allow a woman chieftain.

Notes • “Grace married two times in her life. Her first husband was Donal

O'Flaherty who was the son of the chieftain of the O'Flaherty clan and next in line for the post as chieftain. Grace and Donal married when was about 16 years old. In those times, it was common for families to arrange marriages so the union between Grace and Donal was probably more political than emotional at first.”

• Grace married twice in her life. Her first husband was named Danal O’Flaherty, who was the son of the chieftain of the O’Flaherty clan. Grace and Donal got married in 1546 when Grace was about sixteen years old. At that age it was common for families to arrange marriages at that age.

• Legend has it that Grace’s first husband died while trying to overtake control of he island fortress known as Cock’s Castle.

Notes • “By 1567 O'Malley had married a second time, this time to Richard-

an-Iarainn Burke, called "Iron Richard" or "Iron Dick",[12] an appropriate corruption of his Irish name as he is reputed to have always worn a coat of mail inherited from his Anglo-Norman ancestors. The nickname may also have come from the fact that he controlled the ironworks at Burrishoole, where his principal castle and residence were.[13] By 1567 O'Malley had married a second time, this time to Richard-an-Iarainn Burke, called "Iron Richard" or "Iron Dick",[12] an appropriate corruption of his Irish name as he is reputed to have always worn a coat of mail inherited from his Anglo-Norman ancestors. The nickname may also have come from the fact that he controlled the ironworks at Burrishoole, where his principal castle and residence were.[13] ”

• By 1567, Grace married a second time, this time to a gentleman named Richard-an-larainn Burke. He was called “Iron Richard”. The nickname came for the fact he controlled the ironworks at Burrishoole, where his principal castle and residence were.

The Sons

• “They had one son, Tibbot Burke, nicknamed Tiobóid na Long (Tibbot of the Ships), who was born about 1567.[16] Tibbot was later given the title of Viscount Mayo. Burke had at least four other children, Edmund, Walter, John, and Catherine.[17]”

• They had one son and his name was Tibbot Burke. He was nicknamed, Tioboid na Long, he was born in about 1567.

Grace’s Death

• Grace was born 1530 and die in 1603. Legend has it that she died in Rockfleet Castle or Carraigahowley Castle. Most likely Rockfleet Castle.

• “Rockfleet Castle has 4 floors and is over 18 metres in height. It is open to the public in the summer months. It is situated by the sea. Boats for fishing trips and for Clare Island depart from the nearby pier.”

• Rockfleet Castle is over 18 meters high, and has four floors. It is near the sea. Boats and fishing trips depart from a near by pier.

Bibliography

• Staley, Judy. "Grace O." Notable Women Ancestors . 27 Apr 2007. History Channel On-Line. 23 Jan 2008 <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/grace.html>.