Grace O' Malley

Queen of the Sea

By: Delaney

Grace O' Malley is an Irish queen with not as much recognition as she deserves. She has done many great things and was a hero of the sea. A few of her greater achievements include, using navy fleets to protect Irish wealth, fighting for the Irish and their independence, and making friends with Queen Elizabeth I. Overall, she is a historical icon who fought for what she believed in. So, let me tell you a little bit more.

Where it all began was in her town of Connacht Ireland. She was with her father getting ready to sail with him and he told her that if they met pirates, she had to go below deck. May I remind you she was a woman of her own opinion. When they did meet pirates Grace jumped on to their ship and when she was finished they were able to drive them off.

In that moment she knew that she wanted to sail. A few years later she had her children. Her sons, Tibbot and Owen and her daughter Margret. She also married two Clan leaders (Risdeárd and Dónal) as well as getting some support from her parents (Margret and Eoghan). She also got her most popular nicknames, Granuaile and Gráinne Mhaol.

In some of her many careers including, piracy, being a regional politician, and being a queen, she faced many obstacles. These obstacles are what pushed her to be the best and show her full potential. The obstacles that she faced were, sexism, challenge, and proving to people she could fo a man's work, and that she was not just a dainty woman.

During her career of piracy (which lasted 40 years) she had a good-sized fleet. These ships she inherited from her father. Historians say that she had at least 20 of the most powerful ships in Ireland. With these ships she was loved as well feared by her crew members. Grace is a powerful icon which throughout the rewriting of the history books was lost. She only appeared in the English history books because of her relationship with Queen Elizabeth the I.

In the end Grace O' Malley did come to an end in 1603. She was a strong leader who came from the O' Malley clan. She married powerful local clan leaders and used negotiate whenever possible. She lived a long life and was happy to have done her part in Irish history.

My sources are:

Www.granuaile.com - Granuaile, www.classhtml.com/www.granuaile.com.

“Welcome to the Grace O'Malley Web Site.” Grace O' Malley - Anne Chambers - The Official Site, graceomalley.com/

“Ancient Origins.” Ancient Origins, www.ancient-origins.net/.

National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/.

“Home.” History Ireland, www.historyireland.com/.

“Family Tree.” Family Tree, www.familytree.com/.

“Main Page.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2018, www.wikipedia.org/.

Presentation Notes:________________________

"Hello! After ransacking this ship my crew has a little more respect for me! Being the first women pirate I need to show them I am just as tough as them. As well as being in the piracy industry I am also involved in regional politics. Being a women in Ireland you are expected to wear dresses and just go along with what you are told."