Good Form, Mr. Smee

Legendary for her bravery and exploits, Grace O’Malley was an Irish rebel who gained notoriety as the ‘Pirate Queen’ of Ireland at a time when both clans and seas were ruled by men.
Assembling an impressive empire through politics, piracy, seafaring and marriage, her Machiavellian and bloody tactics allowed her to successfully maintain the independence of her territories at a time when much of Ireland was subjected to English rule. Said to be as beautiful as she was formidable, she was known amongst her contemporaries as “the dark lady of Doona” and by her proper name Gráinne ní Mháille. The wider known ‘Grace’ is the anglicised version, but she is historically remembered in Irish as Gráinne or Gráinuaile.

The O’Malley Clan were shrewd seafarers who bartered and managed the seas surrounding County Mayo, West Ireland. Born there around 1530, Grace spent her childhood tracing the coast and sailing amongst the islands, particularly Clare Island. Her father was Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille (O’Malley), elected chieftain of the O’Malley Clan, and a man supportive of encouraging all his daughter’s skills rather than just those appropriate to a woman.
By the time she married her first husband, Donal O'Flaherty aged 16, Grace was an adept seafarer, well-educated, and an experienced trader. When Donal was murdered and his castle attacked due to it only being 'protected by a woman’, Grace finally had a chance to show her significant skill and maturity. Driving back the attacking Clan, her counteroffensive was so fierce she was compared to a hen protecting her brood, and the fortress obtained the name "Hen's Castle", as it is still called today. She returned home to the O’Malley stronghold and with her came Donal’s men; voluntarily sworn to allegiance.

This battle was only the beginning of her success. From only one or two ships she eventually formed a fleet, obtained three strongholds, and amassed a large following of fighting men. Demonstrating prowess on land and sea, Grace’s maritime abilities upon the wild Atlantic Ocean gave her great prestige and ultimately solidified her role as chieftain, despite women not being allowed to be elected. Like everything else in her life Grace went by her own rules, and her matriarchy became accepted not only by her own followers, but neighbours; her influence and aptitude for battle and seafaring earning respect amongst her male contemporaries. Said in 1583 to be “by sea as well as by land more than master and mate” to Iron Richard, her husband of the time, it was her leadership, particularly leadership at sea, that sets Grace O’Malley apart from other documented female trailblazers in history.

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