Gráinne Ní Mháille (abt. 1530 - abt. 1603)

Born about 1530 in Rockfleet Castle, County Mayo, Connacht, Ireland

Wife of Domhnall Ua Flaithbheartaigh — married 1546 (to 1565) in Connacht, Ireland

Descendants

Died about 1603 at about age 73 in Rockfleet Castle, County Mayo, Connacht, Ireland [uncertain]

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Biography

Gráinne Ní Mháille was born in Ireland.

The Legend and the facts

Not much is known of the early life of Grace O'Malley or indeed about her death. There is 'Legend' and/or 'Folklore' alongside documented facts about her life mainly from interaction with the English authorities and The Crown of the time.

Probably the best researched and most authoratitive publication covering the life of Grace O'Malley is the updated 40th anniversary edition "Grace O'Malley : The Biogrpahy of Ireland's Pirate Queen, 1530-1603" by Anne Chambers, 1998-2019 Dublin : [www.gillbooks.ie Gill Books] Grace O'Malley ISBN 978-0-7171-8577-1. An earlier version of the text is available to 'borrow' from the Internet Archive.

Many internet websites on the subject are a précis of passages from the book and few if any introduce any original material. Many post conficting accounts, such as the two Find A Grave memorials, and the various accounts of her life are sprinkled with Legend has it that... and Folklore suggests that... or According to legend... because the monks, who wrote the history of the time, mainly ignored Grace. The Royal Museums Grenwich website says "modern historians think Grace died at Rockfleet Castle in 1603, the same year as Elizabeth I. She was buried in the abbey on Clare Island, the same abbey she learnt to read and write as a child."^[1] (Emphasis by Meredith-1182). The truth is that the actual details of her life are unknown.

Accounts differ. For example, it is thought that Grace shaved off her hair to join her father's fleet. Historic Mysteries has: "According to one popular legend, when Grace was a girl, she wanted to accompany her father on a trading expedition to Spain, but he refused, claiming her long hair would get tangled in the ropes. So Grace chopped off most of her hair and snuck [sneaked] onboard, and her father reluctantly allowed her to come along."^[2] whereas Ireland before you die states "eventually relented after Grace went so far as shaving off her hair to disguise herself as a boy"^[3] which is not quite the same as shaving her hair off so it did not become entangled. The World History Encyclopedia states: "Even in the present day, Irish historians often give O'Malley the briefest treatment in a work or omit her entirely because of the understanding that she fought for her own interests and those of her family, not for the greater good of Ireland"^[4]

Basically when reading about Grace O'Malley one should be aware that much is legend or hearsay and the only authoritative details we have are from English sources, especially the eighteen "Articles of Interrogatory", questions put to her in writing on behalf of Elizabeth I. She is mentioned in the English State Papers and in other documents of the kind, as well.^[5]

A fascinating timeline of the O'Malleys can be found on Dúchas.ie.^[6]

Her Early Life

Her Name

Grace O'Malley is the anglicised form of the Irish, Gráinne Ní Mháille. Her name was rendered in contemporary documents various ways including Granny de Maille, Grany O'Maly, Graney O'Mally or Grany Imallye, Granny Nye Male, Grany O'Mayle, Granie ny Maille, Granny ni Maille, Grany O'Mally, Grayn Ny Mayle, Grane ne Male, Grainy O'Maly, and Granee O'Maillie.[Granuaile: Chanbers 2003 p.39] The name O'Malley is anglicised from the Irish, Ó Máille (pronounced o mawl-yeh). The earliest Anglicised form of the name is "OMayl", used in 1318. Granuaile used in English the form "O'Mailly".^[6]

She is commonly known by her Irish nickname Gráinne Mhaol or the anglicisation "Granuaile". The ephitet Maol, meaning bald, is supposed to have been earned by the cutting of her hair in the aforementioned legend. ^[3]

c1530 Birth

She was born around 1530^[7] at Belcare Castle near Westport into the O'Malley family, a family of intrepid seafarers whose teritory was not restricted to Ireland as they regularly traded asand plundered as far as Spain and Scotland. She was ostensibly the only daughter of Eoghan Dubhdara (Black Oak) O’Malley [Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille / Eoghan Dubhdara (de Maille) Ó Máille] and Margaret or Maeve Ní Mháille however there is evidence to suggest that she had a brother, Donal-ne-Píopa (Donal of the Pipes) who was either illegitimate or her half brother by another mother. Later in a 'Bill of Chancery' Grace's son was to testify that she was the sole to Margrett her mother and had inherited Margrett's lands at Umhall. See map opposite.^[8][9]

Her Father's Death

Her father died, according to some 'sources', in 1540 however this is unlikely as her father is mentioned in English State papers in 1549 when he is listed as one of the principal chieftans of the country by the King's Commissioners in Ireland as "O'Mayle of Pomo", a name derived from the latin for apple as the irish for apple sounded very similar to Umhall.^[10] He was one of 'sixty captains of sixty counties'^[11] Had he died in 1540 then Granuaile would only have been 10 years old and unlikely to have inherited or been able to retain control of her father's business. If, however, he died when she was nineteen years of age then it is likely she would have been in a position to take the helm perhaps literally as she was accomplished in seamanship.^[4] He was almost certainly alive in 1546 when his daughter was married to Donal O'Flaherty. Whenever he did actually die, Granuaile inherited his large shipping and trading business. The fact that Granuaile inherited her father's shipping and trading business and her mothers lands gives testimony to her breaking the mould whereby women were disbarred from inheriting land and titles under Gaelic law, which incorporated the the code of the Salian Franks who conquered Gaul in the 5th century.^[12]

Her First Marriage

In 1546, Granuaile married the tainist or táinste (Irish)(heir) to the Ó Flaithbheartaigh (O'Flaherty) clan, Donal Ó Flaithbheartaigh. During this time, she became active in Irish politics and was taught by Donal the arts of pirating. Author Malachy McCourt notes how "even at sixteen when she came to O'Flaherty as a bride, Granualle was a well-seasoned sailor"^[4]

During her marriage Granuaile bore three children Owen, Murrough and Margaret named after her mother.

Death of Donal

Donal O'Flaherty was reputedly killed fighting ashore however some accounts say he was murdered by the clan Joyce while hunting. The Joyces then advanced on Donal's castle thinking it could easily be taken since the lord was dead and there was "only a woman" to defend it. O'Malley drove them off in a counteroffensive so fierce she was compared to a hen protecting her brood, giving the fortress the name "Hen's Castle", as it is still called today.^[4][13][14]

Ireland Before You Die states: After her husband was killed fighting ashore, Grace, who was 23 at the time, took over his castle and his fighting ships.^[3] which assuming a 1530 year of birth makes his death 1553 however another narrative states his death as 1554.^[15] Mayo Irelands also uses the same narrative.^[7] as do some others however the alternative date given by Wikipedia^[16] and Historic Mysteries^[2] is 1565. In the later edition of Grace O'Malley by Anne Chambers^[17] it states "In 1564 a minor chieftain of the O'Flaheties....commenced a military campaign to extend his power.....the Queen pardoned Murrough and appointed him Lord of all Iar-Chonnacht." Chambers then goes on to say that Granuaile's husband Donal died soon after these events which makes the 1565 date of his death the more likely.

The income from the shipping business of her father, built it is said from both piracy and legitimate trade with France and Spain, the land inherited from her mother and the property and holdings from Dónal an Chogaidh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, allowed her to become very wealthy (reportedly owning as much as 1000 head of cattle and horses)

Marriage to Richard Burke

Granuaile married her second husband, Richard Burke (Risdéard an Iarainn) in an effort to strengthen her hold on the west coast area of Ireland. Since the death of Donal, she had built her empire to include five castles and several islands in Clew Bay, but needed Rockfleet castle in the northeast side of the bay to complete her stronghold on the area.

Legend has it that Granuaile travelled to the Castle Rockfleet, knocked on the door and proposed marriage to Richard for a period of one year. She explained that the union would enable both clans to withstand the impending invasion by the English (who were slowly taking over the Irish lands around them.) It is believed that after exactly one year, Granuaile said to Richard, "I release you," apparently offering him the option to end the marriage, but he must have really fallen for the lovely Granuaile, because they remained married until he died some seventeen years later.

In some publications it is suggested that, according to legend, Granuaile and Richard agreed on a 'trial marriage' – not uncommon^[5]
Whilst in what was at the time a mostly Roman Catholic country the concept of a 'temporary marriage' and additionally the notion that a marriage could be dismissed by saying "I release you" would be an anathema to the Roman Catholic faith. At that time however trial marriage was much in vogue among the Gaelic aristocracy, and divorce within the Brehon legal system was accepted and availed of by both women and men. As one historian has written: ...Down to the end of the old order in 1603 what would be called Celtic secular marriage remained the norm in Ireland...Christian matrimony was no more than the rare exception, grafted on to this system.[Page 65 of the referenced book] – in which the two would remain wed for one year and could then decide to annul the union. At the end of the year, O'Malley changed the locks on Burke's castle and, when he arrived home, told him he was dismissed as her husband. If this story is true, the annulment had no effect on their partnership as Burke is said to have remained with her until his death in 1583.^[4]

Issue from the 2nd marriage

Granuaile and Richard had a son, Tibbot (or Theobald) who was later to become 1st Viscount Mayo.

The Later Years

In 1584 Sir Richard Bingham was appointed Governor of Connacht. Bingham was ruthless and confiscated Granuaile's cattle and ships which deprived her of much of her income. This unrighteous and scurrilous use of power is still being practiced today by descendants of the English. By 1594 Granuaile's situation was getting a little desperate and decided to "dispatch a petition to Queen Elizabeth I, asking her for relief from a state of near poverty and for permission to attack ‘the Queen’s enemies’ for her maintenance"^[18]

In most humble wise showeth unto your most excellent Majesty; your loyal and faithful subject Grany Ne Mailly of Connaught in you Highness realm of Ireland that where by means of the continual discord stirs and dissention which heretofore long time remained among the Irish especially in West Connaught by the sea-side, every cheiftain [sic] for his safeguard and maintainance [sic] and for the defence of his people, followers and country took arms by strong hand to make head against his neighbours, who in like manner constrained your highness fond subject to take arms and by force to maintain herself and her people by sea and land the space of forty years past.

She received a reply to her petition which is perhaps the most interesting record produced from the administrative records of the English crown. The Queen sent Grace a set of 18 interrogatories (questions) to determine her family background, connections and the circumstances of her maintenance during her lifetime.

The greatest problem for the inhabitants of this far flung western reach of Ireland was that it was ruled in accordance with Brehon law. The rules of this allowed for the appointment of a successor to the clan chief whilst he was still alive. That successor may or may not be the son of the Chieftain. This election of a tainiste or successor was completely contra to English law where the eldest male heir inherited lands and title on the death of his father. The English could not understand the concept of land belonging as a tenure only for the lifetime of the chieftain upon whose death it may redistributed amongst the clan.^[17] (p25 of the reference)

In 1574 Mayo was surveyed, by the English of course, and divided into 10 baronies. Richard an Iarainn was named as the chief of the barony Burrishoole. In 1575 Sir Henry Sidney sought to induce the Chieftains of the Province to surrender their Irish tenure and take back their lands by Queen's Patent which meant accepting English Law and the appointment of Sheriffs in their territories. In other words they were asked to turn over their lands to the Crown and then be granted control over these lands by the Crown, which could just as easily remove them. It shows that the Irish already thought they were beaten in that so many accepted this iniquitous land grabbing "surrender and regrant". Eventually the MacWilliam agreed to this and to paying the Crown annual rent of two hundred and fifty pounds and to furnish two hundred soldiers to the English Governor for two months each year. He was paying for the privilege of losing his lands and being "given" them back, with the inducement of a title that cost them nothing, by the English. This acceptance further more meant the acceptance of English rule which in turn meant that the first son of the MacWilliam would inherit rather that Granuaile's husband Richard who under Irish law was the tainiste. It is not in the least bit surprising that she was unhappy about this and she visited Stanley in a show of strength and solidarity with her husband. But a few weeks after that she was raiding the Earl of Desmond when she was captured and kept prisoner at Askeaton Castle.

In the chapter "Our Natural Leader^[19]" the writer puts a different slant of this 'capture' which although a fictional tale could have more than an element of truth about it. In the story it is suggested that Granuaile went voluntarily to Askeaton to see the Earl of Desmond as he had not succumbed to the Crown and that eventually she was taken by trickery. All in all that sounds more likely than the suggestion she was taken in battle.

Regardless of how it happened Granuaile wound up in Limerick Jail and on 7th November, 1578 was transferred to Dublin Castle dungeon's, a fate reserved for the most notable and politically import ant prisoners. It must have seemed to her and to her husband and family that this was the end as few left Dublin Castle alive. None-the-less she was indeed released in early 1579. The reasons for this are unknown but possibly it was to stop her husband forming an alliance with the Earl of Desmond, who was declared a traitor in November 1579. Too long a tale to tell here (see page 73 of Chambers latest edition^[17]) but suffice it to say that eventually Granuaile supported her husband in his claim to be MacWilliam, the previous incumbent having died in 1580, and the Crown, through Sir Nicholas Maltby, negotiated and Richard an Iarainn was installed as The MacWilliam and was later knighted in 1581.

Death of Risdéard an Iarainn

Risdéard an Iarainn died shortly before 15th April 1583. ^[20]

Visit to England

Bingham’s brother John captured and executed Gráinne’s eldest son, Eoghan, while Bingham confiscated her lands and took control of Rockfleet castle.^[15] In 1593, he captured her youngest son, Tiobóid, and her half-brother, Dónal "an Phíopa".^{[2][15][21][22][4]}

Gráinne petitioned the Crown for their release and the return of her lands ^[1][22][18]before sailing to London to negotiate personally with Queen Elizabeth I of England. ^{[2][1][21][3][4][7][18]}

Gráinne met Queen Elizabeth in September 1593 in Greenwich Palace. ^{[1][21][7][18][22][15]} There are various stories and legends associated with the encounter: Gráinne is variously said to have arrived with a dagger for her own protection which she was allowed by Elizabeth to keep, ^[15][4][21] to have refused to bow to Elizabeth as she was neither her lesser nor a subject of the English Crown, ^{[2] [4][15][3][7]} to have astonished her hosts by burning the silk handkerchief she had been given, ^[2] and to have refused Elizabeth's offer of the title of countess as she was already a queen. ^[15][2] The two conversed in Latin, as Elizabeth spoke no Irish and Gráinne spoke no English ^[3][4][7] and came to the agreement that Gráinne's demands would be met under the condition that she would cease all rebellion against the English ^{[1][21][4][3][2][15][7][18]} and pledge 200 men to the service of Elizabeth.^[4] Elizabeth informed Bingham of the agreement:

We require you to deal with her sons in our name to yield to her some maintenance for living the rest of her old years…And this we do write in her favor as she showeth herself dutiful, although she hath in former times lived out of order. She hath confessed the same with assured promises by oath that she will fight in our quarrel with all the world.^[4]

Bingham delayed in doing so, but eventually released his prisoners ^[18][4] after threats of further applications to Queen Elizabeth,^[22] however, he kept the land he had seized from her ^[1] despite two further (unanswered) petitions to Queen Elizabeth).^[18]

Epilogue

When in the 5th century Christianity and with it Roman Law came into Ireland and was directly in conflict with the native Brehon Law, the slow decline of the position of women in society began. They were debarred from leadership and confined to child-bearing, charitable deeds and above all subservience to their husbands. The days of the powerful woman warriors, the priestesses and the Goddesses of Pagan belief were ended. Over the course of history a few Irish women have risen to prominence, and for those that have it has mainly been within the sphere of influence of their husbands, but none have broken the mould like Granuaile. She was an intelligent powerful woman who would not bow to subservience to husband or Crown and who carved out a unique place for herself in history and in the hearts of all who followed her. A mother, lover and fearless leader of men she lived life to its full potential. Her role of command on the sea was unique and unheard of in what was definitely and without question a man's world then and even now. Her like unfortunately will probably never be seen again.

Films, Books & Plays

The Pirate Queen (Musical)

Boublil and Schönberg - composers of the blockbuster 'Les Misérables' - crafted this extraordinarily beautiful, new musical! A true story ... in 1558, England and Ireland are locked in a battle for Ireland's independence. Grace O'Malley - a strong Irish lass - fearlessly battles Queen Elizabeth's mammoth navy. Add splendid Celtic dancing, ships, swashbuckling swordplay, betrayal and glorious romance! HCT was hand-picked to mount this first, regional, post-Broadway production.

'The Pirate Queen' ran February 12 - April 2, 2016

Watch the trailer for the musical here (YouTube video)

Warrior Women with Lucy Lawless

Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen. Episode aired 2003 (46m) IMDB The story of 16th-century female pirate Grace O'Malley. Director Noel Dockstader, Writer Noel Dockstader, Stars Lucy Lawless, Gabrielle Breathnach, Gaynor Donnelly.

Grace O'Malley: A Prelude to war

2013 (25m) A short film exploring the infamous Grace O' Malley, the Pirate Queen and her ongoing battles with the English in Ireland during the 16th Century. IMDB

Director: Ciaron Davies, Writer: Ciaron Davies, Stars: Jasper Cairns, Fionnuala Collins, David Corbett

Grainne Uaile: The Movie 2022

A marathon film of 4h 30m! Release date: March 1, 2022 (United States) IMDB

The life of Grainne Uaile, the 16th century Pirate Queen from Ireland.

Director: Ciaron Davies

Writer: Ciaron Davies

Stars: Fionnuala Collins, Ciaron Davies, Peter Cosgrove

A violent and gritty retelling of the life of Grainne Uaile, the 16th century Pirate Queen from Ireland. She was a fighter, a pirate and a tough woman, carving her mark in a mans world. This exciting film is violent, dark, brutal, exciting and often darkly comic. The ultimate female action hero steeped in ancient Irish history.—Ciaron Davies

From the trailer I think this marathon film may well become a trifle boring in the watching. It does not get off to a good start with Grauaile being played by someone of dark black hair which flies in the face of descriptions of Irish women of the region at the time. "Very comely creatures, tall, slender and upright. Of complexion very fayre and cleare skinned, but freckled, with tresses of bright yellow hayre, which they chayne up in curious knots or devises."^[23] This is a description of the Celts and the part played in the film is by a descendent of the so called black irish, the hispanic influence that abounded in the south of both Ireland and Wales.

Grace O'Malley, an historical fiction

Grace O'Malley, an historical fiction "Told by RUARI MACDONALD, REDSHANK AND REBEL . . The Same Set Forth . . in the Tongue of the English BY ROBERT MACHRAY"^[24] is a good tale of Grace and her escapades. Very well worth a read it and is in part no more fiction than the early years of her life told though the medium of a story teller. To inhabitants of Mayo and Grace O'Malley country the place names will be all too familiar and help to bring this story vividly to life.

Other Resources/Bibliography

Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland is where the Granuaile Visitor Centre is located.

The Wild Irish by Robin Maxwell. Two female titans -- perfectly matched in guts, guile, and political genius. Elizabeth, queen of England, has taken on the mighty Spanish Armada and, in a stunning sea battle, vanquished it. But her troubles are far from over. Just across the western channel, her colony Ireland is embroiled in seething rebellion, with the island's fierce, untamed clan chieftains and their "wild Irish" followers refusing to bow to their English oppressors. Grace O'Malley -- notorious pirate, gunrunner, and "Mother of the Irish Rebellion" -- is at the heart of the conflict. For years, she has fought against the English stranglehold on her beloved country. At the height of the uprising Grace takes an outrageous risk, sailing up the Thames to London for a face-to-face showdown with her nemesis, the queen of England. In this "enthralling historical fiction" (Publishers Weekly), Robin Maxwell masterfully brings to life these strong and pugnacious women in order to tell the little-known but crucial saga of Elizabeth's Irish war.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Royal Museums Grenwich Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen of Ireland [Accessed 29 January 2022]
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} Historic Mysteries Grace O’Malley: Irish Pirate Queen of Connacht by Jim R. [Accessed 29 January 2022]
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} Ireland Before You Die Grace O’Malley: the story of Ireland’s famous pirate queen. October 9, 2020 by Conor Wickham; Updated: February 23, 2021. [Accessed 29 January 2022]
4. ↑ ^{4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13} Mark, J. J. (2021, November 01). Grace O'Malley. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Grace_O'Malley/ [Accessed 29 January 2022]
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Granuaile : Ireland's pirate queen, c.1530-1603 by Chambers, Anne, 2003 Dublin : Wolfhound Press. (The version on the Internet Archive)
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Genealogy of the O'Malleys of the Owals [Accessed 29 January 2022]
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6} Mayo Ireland Grace O'Malley the Pirate Queen, History in Co. Mayo [Accessed 29 January 2022]
8. ↑ Chancery Bill No R.63
9. ↑ Umhaill or Umhall (anglicized as Owill[1] or Owel).
10. ↑ Calendar of State papers (Edward V1), vol CLXX, p.132.
11. ↑ The beginnings of Modern Ireland. p.29/30 (PDF) [Accessed 30 Apr 2022
12. ↑ Salic Law, Latin Lex Salica, and the Salic law of succession. [Accessed 29/04/2022]
13. ↑ Facebook Image of Hen's Castle in Loch Corrib
14. ↑ Guide to Connemara Hen’s Castle, Historic Building (Marked Castlekirk)
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7} All Thats Interesting How Irish Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley Defied Elizabeth I And Conquered A Man’s World. [Accessed 29 January 2022]
16. ↑ Wikipedia Grace O'Malley (c. 1530 – c. 1603), also known as Gráinne O'Malley (Irish: Gráinne Ní Mháille)
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} "Grace O'Malley : The Biogrpahy of Ireland's Pirate Queen, 1530-1603" by Anne Chambers, 1998-2019 Dublin : [www.gillbooks.ie Gill Books] Grace O'Malley ISBN 978-0-7171-8577-1.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6} Meeting Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s pirate queen
19. ↑ Grace O'Malley, princess and pirate by Machray, Robert, 1857-1946. A fictional tale based on real events.
20. ↑ Clavin, Terry. Burke (de Burgh), Sir Richard (Risdeard an Iarainn, Richard an Iron, ‘Iron Dick’). Dictionary of Irish Biography (2009). https://www.dib.ie/biography/burke-de-burgh-sir-richard-risdeard-iarainn-richard-iron-iron-dick-a1174.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4} O’Connell, Ronan. “On the Trail of Ireland’s Legendary Pirate Queen.” National Geographic, 21 May 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/on-the-trail-of-ireland-legendary-pirate-queen?cmpid=org&rid=30784C58B6668BD55941920DBBAB8D5D.
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3} O'Byrne, Emmett. O'Malley, Gráinne (Grace) (‘Granuaile’). Dictionary of Irish Biography (2009). https://www.dib.ie/biography/omalley-grainne-grace-granuaile-a6886.
23. ↑ A Discourse of Ireland, anno 1620 (Author: Luke Gernon)
24. ↑ Grace O'Malley, princess and pirate by Machray, Robert, 1857-1946 Published 1898

• The Library Of Ireland John Healy, Irish Essays: Literary and Historical, 1908, Grania Uaile (O’Malley), Lecture delivered in the Town Hall, Westport, on the 7th January, 1906.
• Ocean Of Storms - Granuaile
• TNA: PRO SP 63/88/2 Grey to the Privy Council, 3 January 1581/2 (PDF)
• Carew Manuscripts, Lambeth Palace Library, Ref: MSS/596-638, Title: Carew Manuscripts, Description: Diverse and important papers for the history of Ireland, especially during the reign of Elizabeth I, including copies of some documents not now known to survive. Date: 1515-1623
• Caher Island in Co. Mayo In Irish it is called “Chathair na Naomh” or “Cathair Phadraic” meaning “The isle of saints” or “St Patrick's isle”. The famous Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley landed on Caher Island to capture a MacMahon follower who killed her Spanish lover.

Other Irish Biographies

• Ireland and her people - a library of Irish biography by Fitzgerald, Thomas W. H, 1848