Famous Pirate: Grace O'Malley

Grace O'Malley is today remembered as one of the most famous chieftains, traders, seafarers and pirates of the 1500s. Her adventurous life is today preserved not only in historical facts, but also in countless legends that paint her as a courageous woman who did everything to protect the independence of Ireland and its people against the English crown. During her life she built for herself a notable political influence with the surrounding nations, as well as great notoriety at sea, making her one of the most important figure of the Irish folklore.

Grace O’Malley was born under a name of GráinneNíMháille in Irelan around 1530, as a daughter of the wealthy nobleman and sea trader Owen O'Malley. During her entire youth she was fascinated by the sea, and she ignored the influences of her entire family that wanted to steer her to the life at land. As the legend says, at the young age she cut her hair and dressed as a boy in attempt to become sailor on her father ship. Upon discovering her efforts, her entire family laughed and gave her the nickname "Grainne Mhaol" by whom she is known even today. If the legends can be trusted, she even survived a pirate attack by saving the life of his father during a battle on deck, thus changing the tide of the battle. Although she spent much of her youth and young adulthood on ship, she received formal education and learned to speak foreign languages.

As her influence rose, she became involved in several political struggles with surrounding nations. Grace did not held much love towards the English crown (who in the previous year's took more and more Irish lands under their rule), and in the following years she entered into open rebelling against the England.

At the age of 56 Grace was finally captured by Sir Richard Bingham, ruthless governor that was appointed to rule over Irish territories. She closely escaped death sentence, and over the course of time her influence, wealth and lands faded, until the brink of poverty. After hearing about the capture of her brother and son, she decided to go to London personally and talk with the Queen Elizabeth. During the talks with the queen, she managed to convince her to free her family and restore much of her lands and influence.

During the entire 70 years of her life, Grace O'Malley managed to retain the reputation of fierce leader and smart politician. She successfully protected the independence of her lands during the time when much of Ireland fell under the English rule. She finally died around 1603, in Rockfleet Castle.