Pirate, chieftain, gambler, noblewoman, traitor, mercenary, all are terms that have been applied to Granuaile, none without some justification. She was born as the English king Henry VIII implemented his "surrender and re-grant" policy over Ireland and died as Hugh O'Neill and Hugh O'Donnell were defeated and with them the last hopes of an Ireland free from England. That she lived to be over seventy in that turbulent period that ended an era is a tribute to the strength of character and reason she must have possessed.

Granuaile (Grace O'Malley) is thought to have been born in 1530, with one illegitimate step-brother Donal-na-Piopa (of the pipes), to Owen 'Dubhdarra' (Black Oak) O'Malley who by the Brehon system was the elected chieftain of Umhall Uachtarach (Barony of Murrisk).

The O'Malley's had been known for their sailing prowess since 1123 and traded regularly with Scotland and Spain in their galleys and three masted caravels.

The Gráinne Mhaol Project

In November we ran a week of development workshops headed by our director, Kathi Leahy with 18 performers, the writer and a small team of artists and makers from Macnas including the production designer, Kieran McNulty.

Press Reviews

Evening Telegraph -

Coventry Tuesday 31th August.

Clair Maddocks said "The audience has returned for the last few nights despite some heavy rain during the day time. They have clearly been delighted by the spectacle and engaged by the story of the legendary Irish pirate Grace O'Malley"

Torrential rain couldn't dampen the spirits of performers staging one of Coventry's biggest outdoor shows of the summer.

A company of 53 actors, technicians and designers arrived from Ireland to stage The Pirate Queen in the ruins of Coventry cathedral.

But Macnas theatre company was determined the show would go on and has been playing to large audiences for the rest of the week following their rain drenched welcome.

Memories

When I first got involved with this project way back in February little did I know where it would take me and (more importantly) who I would meet alongthe way. Looking back over its six months duration I can honestly say Ienjoyed every moment of it. Yes, from the initial stage when Judith had us dancing to hip-hop music and playing all those dreaded name games to that hectic week of rehearsals before our first performance in July, I was still having fun.

I am forever grateful to Macnas for giving us this opportunity and to especially our friend and Mentor Judith Higgins whose patience and mad sense of humor kept the whole thing fun and light-hearted. It has been a mind-blowing experience and is something I will carry with me for a long time. So I wish to thank everybody who was involved and wish them the very best of luck for the future.

Pat McElligott

I invite all participants and/or those who saw the show to enter their memories into this space. Photos of the show most welcome