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She had total contempt for cowardice. Once when she and her band were fighting the Stauntons of Kinturk Castle, her son Tibbot, in the midst of battle, faltered and drew back to shelter behind his mother. "An ag iarraidh dul i bhfolach ar mo tho 'in?"("Is it trying to hide behind my backside you are, the place where you came from?") A mortified poor Tibbot fought on and the Stauntons surrended. They were probably laughing so much; but they had to pay an annual levy of a barrel of meal, a pig and an ox.

NEW FESTIVAL PLAY

Even for her time Granuaile was larger than life itself. The O 'Malley's were always great sailors and had traded independently with Scotland, Spain and Portugal for centuries. She was single-minded and could fight and sail, fish and trade better than most men; but could also be diplomatic and cunning when the occasion demanded.

She was born in 1530 when Henry VIII and later his daughter Elizabeth I were determined to end the feuding among the Irish clans and to replace the old Brehon Laws with English practices. England believed that once Ireland reflected its own values there would be peace and an end to rebellion. It pursued these aims vigorously offering the clan chiefs titles and privilege with one hand, and the sword, the gallows and the dungeon with the other.

Galway author Patricia Forde has written a life of Granuaile, which will be performed by Macnas, the innovative Theatre Company, during the first six days of the Galway Arts Festival starting next Monday evening. But typical of Macnas, they will not be confined to the Festival Big Top in the Fisheries Field. They plan 12 assaults on the city at any place at any time. Shoppers can expect an eruption of activity and hopefully the Corporation, in revenge for past humiliations, will resist these attacks and playlets vigorously.

WESTPORT HOUSE
The English policy of 'surrender and re-grant 'was a success. To have her sons released from prison and to consolidate her ownership of lands, castles and wealth, Granuaile gave the necessary guarantees to the crown. One wonders what her thoughts were when, in her seventies; one last effort was made by two Irish chieftains, who were her former friends, O'Neill and O'Donnell to drive out the English. With a large army they marched through Connacht causing excitement and attracting men to their banners. She is reputed to have died at her Rockfleet castle on the shore of Clew Bay in 1603 and possibly lived long enough to hear of the defeat of the Irish army at Kinsale.

Her line prospered and survived. Her son Tibbot-an-Long became first Viscount Mayo in 1627. In 1669 her great-great-grand-daughter, Maud Burke, married John Browne of Westport and the present owner of Westport House, Lord Altamount, is the direct descendant of this couple. A mulberry tree planted in the garden of the house during their lifetime still flourishes today.

Anyone who drives between Maam Bridge and Cornamona will see below the road Hen Castle, on an island just before the Corrib narrows. Legend says that if a boat with a particularly valuable cargo was preparing to leave Galway, a series of fires from island to island would pass the message up the Corrib and then a blaze on Hen Castle could be seen far off into the west. It took but one other beacon to alert Grace O'Malley and her crew of fighting men on Clare Island, that their prize was on its way. Using sail and oars her fleet could swoop on her victim at the mouth of Galway Bay. These raids understandably, infuriated Galway Corporation. Hen Castle was owned by her husband Donal O 'Flaherty who was head of the O 'Flaherty clan, and had a variety of nicknames including Donal-an-Cullagh (the Cock). He earned this title for his ability to hop from submerged rock to rock, linking the island to the mainland. The 16th century was a period of endless and bloody feuds between families. The Joyces, always anxious to control Connemara, attacked the castle one night and Donal was killed. Enraged by this insult Grace, or Granuaile (literally Grainne Maol "the Bald ", she hacked her hair short to pass as a boy in a man 's world of sailors and fighters) retook the castle in a fierce fight and from then on it was Hen Castle.	Ronnie O'Gorman rogorman@galwayadvertiser.ie Galway Diary - Galway Advertiser Donal arrives for the wedding
She had total contempt for cowardice. Once when she and her band were fighting the Stauntons of Kinturk Castle, her son Tibbot, in the midst of battle, faltered and drew back to shelter behind his mother. "An ag iarraidh dul i bhfolach ar mo tho 'in?"("Is it trying to hide behind my backside you are, the place where you came from?") A mortified poor Tibbot fought on and the Stauntons surrended. They were probably laughing so much; but they had to pay an annual levy of a barrel of meal, a pig and an ox. NEW FESTIVAL PLAY Even for her time Granuaile was larger than life itself. The O 'Malley's were always great sailors and had traded independently with Scotland, Spain and Portugal for centuries. She was single-minded and could fight and sail, fish and trade better than most men; but could also be diplomatic and cunning when the occasion demanded. She was born in 1530 when Henry VIII and later his daughter Elizabeth I were determined to end the feuding among the Irish clans and to replace the old Brehon Laws with English practices. England believed that once Ireland reflected its own values there would be peace and an end to rebellion. It pursued these aims vigorously offering the clan chiefs titles and privilege with one hand, and the sword, the gallows and the dungeon with the other. Galway author Patricia Forde has written a life of Granuaile, which will be performed by Macnas, the innovative Theatre Company, during the first six days of the Galway Arts Festival starting next Monday evening. But typical of Macnas, they will not be confined to the Festival Big Top in the Fisheries Field. They plan 12 assaults on the city at any place at any time. Shoppers can expect an eruption of activity and hopefully the Corporation, in revenge for past humiliations, will resist these attacks and playlets vigorously. WESTPORT HOUSE The English policy of 'surrender and re-grant 'was a success. To have her sons released from prison and to consolidate her ownership of lands, castles and wealth, Granuaile gave the necessary guarantees to the crown. One wonders what her thoughts were when, in her seventies; one last effort was made by two Irish chieftains, who were her former friends, O'Neill and O'Donnell to drive out the English. With a large army they marched through Connacht causing excitement and attracting men to their banners. She is reputed to have died at her Rockfleet castle on the shore of Clew Bay in 1603 and possibly lived long enough to hear of the defeat of the Irish army at Kinsale. Her line prospered and survived. Her son Tibbot-an-Long became first Viscount Mayo in 1627. In 1669 her great-great-grand-daughter, Maud Burke, married John Browne of Westport and the present owner of Westport House, Lord Altamount, is the direct descendant of this couple. A mulberry tree planted in the garden of the house during their lifetime still flourishes today.

Grainne arrives for the wedding	The Gráinne Mhaol Project: Last year we commissioned the writer, Patrica Forde to create a narrative treatment based on the story of Grace O’Malley, better known as Gráinne Mhaol, the Pirate Queen. This was a conscious decision made by the company to explore a narrative with a central female character and a strong West of Ireland connection. This produced a very exciting and stimulating development period that has resulted in a very rich range of ideas and ambitious possibilities. *Declan Gibbons - General Manager - Macnas*

Press Reviews 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.	Dubhdara address the clansmen
Evening Telegraph
Guildubh address the clansmen	Memories For me, Granuaile is not just a theatre show, it is just as well the end of my trip, my ten months in Galway. The most thrilling part of my trip. I've known very good people that have given me lots of love, support etc. They've been like family for me. Though the workshops started in February I learnt how to play again, and enjoy it. Now I have more self-confidence. I know more about Irish history and Irish people. Well! Not Irish people in general. I've got to know special people like Jim, Ann, Gert, Pat, Eric, Breda, Jonathan, Paul… I'd never finish this list of very special people. I'm very sad of leaving now that I just started knowing you. I wana dance for you and with you every night Thanks a million I won't forget you. Lourdes, Saoirse, Calle Aherne (The person on the extreme left in the first photo on this page.) I am certain that I am speaking for all the cast when I say "We will miss you Lourdes and wish you well back in Spain. We shared many special moments with you, Lourdes, and we are very sorry to see you go. We look forward to the opportunity of working with you again." Jim I invite all participants and/or those who saw the show to enter their memories into this space. Photos of the show most welcome I look forward to hearing from you. Jim Aherne *

Here at Macnas

Welcome to the Here at Macnas site.

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Donal arrives for the wedding

The Gráinne Mhaol Project:

Press Reviews

Memories

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jim Aherne *