Ireland’s Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley – Fine Art Giclée Print

This art was inspired by Grace O’Malley – with her spirit, drive, and tenacity! As a fellow woman from the West of Ireland, it is likely that we are connected in family.

Gráinne O’Malley (c. 1530 – c. 1603), also known as Grace O’Malley, was the head of the Ó Máille dynasty in the west of Ireland. She is celebrated in Ireland as the original ‘Pirate Queen.’ But this 16th century figure was also a remarkable leader respected, not only by her own people, but also by her sworn enemy – the English.

Grace was feisty and, as a child, joined her father on his expeditions to Spain (although she disguised herself as a boy as girls were not allowed). She had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she was a working mum and she had her own mind. She also lived a long life (likely into her 70’s) and left a strong legacy.

Westport House has a story that matches its beauty, it dates back to the 1500s and is connected to the trail-blazing pirate queen and chieftain, Grace O’Malley. According to Wikipedia,

“Westport House in County Mayo, Ireland, was the seat of the Browne dynasty, Marquesses of Sligo, direct descendants of Grace O’Malley. The current house was built close to the site of Cahernamart (Cathair na Mart – “fort of the beef market”), an Ó Máille fort. The original house was built by Colonel John Browne, a Jacobite, who was at the Siege of Limerick (1691), and his wife Maude Bourke. Maude Bourke was O’Malley’s great-great-granddaughter.”

Sources:

• Irish Post: Grace O’Malley: 12 fascinating facts about Ireland’s fearless Pirate Queen
• Wikipedia page on Grace O’Malley