Her story reads like the most brazen and unlikely sort of adventure
fiction, but there's history as well as myth in the legend of the Irish
noblewoman who led a band of 200 sea-raiders from the coast of Galway in the
sixteenth century. Twice widowed, twice imprisoned, fighting her enemies both
Irish and English for her rights, condemned for piracy, and finally pardoned in
London by Queen Elizabeth herself, Gráinne was one of the few
sea-raiders to retire from the sea and die in her own bed, though where she's
buried remains a mystery.
Grainne's father controlled the coastal territory along Co. Mayo and the
off-lying islands. He did much business on the sea, trading with Spain and
Portugal. This was illegal according to English law, but much more economical
because of cheaper prices. Fishing was an important source of livelihood, as
was the selling of fishing permits to the French and Spanish. The O'Malley's
also acted as guides for ships sailing through the islands, as the waters there
were treacherous. Grainne must have accompanied her father on many of these
trips, as she later demonstrated extreme skill in ship navigation and the
leadership of sailors.
In the later 16th century English power steadily increased in Ireland
and Gráinne's power was steadily encroached upon. Finally, in 1593, when
her sons, Tibbot Burke and Murrough O'Flaherty, and her half-brother,
Donal-na-Piopa, were taken captive by the English governor of Connacht, Sir
Richard Bingham, Gráinne sailed to England to petition Elizabeth I for
their release. Elizabeth apparently took to Gráinne, who was three years
older, and the two women reached sufficient agreement for Elizabeth to grant
Gráinne's requests provided that her support of many Irish rebellions
and piracy against England ended. Their discussion was carried out in Latin, as
Gráinne spoke no English and Elizabeth spoke no Irish.
