Grace O'Malley: The Pirate Queen of Connacht

In the Sixteenth century Grace O'Malley ruled the West Coast of Ireland. A strong female warrior, as fierce and powerful as any man, this Gaelic lass was a remarkable leader respected not only by her own people but by the English rulers that were their adversaries.

She rejected the traditional female role of the sixteenth century, instead embracing the life on the sea. Fiercely independent, her exploits eventually became known through all of Ireland and England. 

When the English tried to end her livelihood by impounding her fleet,  Grace took matters into her own hands, sailing to meet with Queen Elizabeth I.

Grace O'Malley embodies the essential spirit of the Irish — feisty, defiant and indomitable.