Wild Atlantic women for Pirate Queen Festival

Wild Atlantic women for Pirate Queen Festival


Áine Ryan

WILD Atlantic women (and men) of all ages can look forward to a weekend of activities and extreme sports, fun and frolics at the second annual Pirate Queen Festival which will be held over the May Bank Holiday weekend at a variety of Clew Bay destinations. From Clare Island to Achill, Louisburgh to Newport, Mulranny to Westport, the unbridled spirit of that most infamous 16th century sea captain, Granuaile, will be  invoked during a busy programme of events.
Naturally the programme includes talks, tours and displays about the original pirate queen whose ancestral home was adjacent to the present Westport House where her official biographer, historian Anne Chambers will preside. Indeed, a Grainne Ale Festival of locally brewed craft beers will be held at Gracy’s Bar and Café in the grounds of the historic house while a barbecue fit for a queen will be hosted at Patten’s Bar in Achill on both Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, over the bay on Clare Island a unique adventure race - which includes walking the plank -is scheduled for those competitors who wish to vie for Crown of the Pirate Queen. For the more sedentary there will be the spectacles of traditional yawl racing on Achill Island and  bus tours to her many castles and outposts.
And for those who wish to be more meditative and mindful, former O’Malley Clan Chieftain, Ellen Dunlop O’Malley will lead a Female Empowerment talk on Clare Island, where there will also be yoga sessions.

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www.piratequeenfestival.ie