She Commanded Ships, Fought Armies, and Met Queen Elizabeth – Who Was Grace O’Malley?

Grace O’Malley lived about 70 years, which was long for her time, and she married two times. Her first husband, Donal O’Flaherty, taught her about war, and they had three children together. After Donal passed away, Grace became a respected widow. Then in 1566, she married Richard Burke, which helped her gain control of a castle and more power.

Grace’s marriage to Richard Burke lasted about a year and gave her a son and a castle. After that, she ended things in a bold way. Legend says she shouted from an open window, “Richard Burke, I dismiss you!” and just walked away.

When the English raised taxes on her family’s trade, Grace fought back by charging her own “sea tax” to ships passing by. From her coastal castles, she kept watch over the waters and led her ships to stop those who didn’t pay. If they refused, she raided their ships—no matter where they were from. Irish, English, Spanish, and Turkish ships all faced her attacks.

Because of her high status, Grace had access to education that many sailors didn’t. Historians believe she had formal schooling and even knew Latin as a second language. It’s unclear if she spoke English, but she was definitely more educated than the average pirate.

After marrying Richard Burke, Grace became pregnant and, according to legend, gave birth to her son Theobald right on her ship. Just an hour later, enemy pirates attacked. Grace hid her baby safely and then led her crew to fight off the attackers, winning the battle despite the danger.

In 1593, Grace traveled to London to meet Queen Elizabeth I and ask for help. The English governor in Ireland had taken her land and even imprisoned her because he thought she was against English rule. When he captured her sons, Grace decided to act. The two powerful women spoke in Latin, but Grace never bowed to the queen. In the end, Elizabeth agreed to Grace’s demands as long as she promised not to rebel.

Sir Richard Bingham, the English governor in Ireland, saw Grace as a threat and tried to stop her. Things got worse when his brother John tricked Grace’s son Owen out of his castle and stole his cattle. In the chaos, John captured Owen and later had him gone, causing Grace great pain.

Grace O’Malley came from a wealthy and powerful Irish clan. Her father, Owen “Black Oak” O’Malley, was a respected chieftain known for sailing and raiding. The family made money through trade—and some piracy—so Grace grew up around ships and danger. She likely learned to sail as a young girl and was raised to lead.

Grace loved the sea from a young age, thanks to her family’s life on the water. When she wasn’t allowed to join her father on a trip, she didn’t give up. According to legend, she cut her hair and dressed like a boy to sneak aboard the ship.

In the 1560s, Grace rescued a man from a shipwreck and they became lovers, though his true identity is a mystery. When rival clans called the MacMahons had him murdered, Grace took revenge. She hunted down the murderers and then attacked Donna Castle, defeating the MacMahons and taking the castle for herself.

Much of Grace O’Malley’s story is wrapped in myths, but she was definitely a larger-than-life figure. Even the famous English poet Sir Philip Sidney admired her. In her own time, people in western Ireland called her the “Pirate Queen” for her boldness and strength.

After her father passed away, Grace became the head of the O’Malley clan—a rare role for a woman back then. She took control of her father’s ships and family business. When she married Donal O’Flaherty, she gained an important alliance, and many of his men stayed loyal to her even after he passed away.

England had been trying to control Ireland for a long time, and Grace didn’t like their interference. She often fought with the English governor, Sir Richard Bingham, who was harsh to Irish rebels. Still, Grace was smart and sometimes worked with the English when it suited her, like in 1577 when she lent them ships and men.

• You Might Also Like: "38 Vintage Photos That Capture America A Century Ago"