Mayo’s feminist trailblazer and me

THE endurance and popularity of her biography reflects the sheer magnetism of its subject. Grace O’Malley (also known as Granuaile) continues to enthral, inspire and capture the imagination of new generations of devotees worldwide as she undoubtedly first captured mine.
For many centuries Grace O’Malley was a victim of the mainly male orientation of historical record. While she had more than created her own legend, nonetheless, she never appeared in the pages of my school history books, which left me to wonder, no doubt like many more, if she had ever existed. Despite the fact (as I subsequently discovered) her life is well documented in the Elizabethan State Papers and other contemporary collections of her time and her name, unique for a woman, enshrined in the famous 1599 Boazio map of Ireland – the only female leader ever so listed – it was her absence from Irish historical record that initially motivated my own interest.
Imprisoned within the swirls and flourishes of these now faded, brittle Elizabethan parchment relics, the story of Grace O’Malley springs to life.
When analysed within the historical context of the traumatic epoch in which she lived, as well as a daughter, wife, mother, divorcee, lover, widow, grandmother and great-grandmother, she emerges as a fearless leader, by land and by sea, a shrewd political tactician, an intrepid seafarer, successful independent business woman, ruthless plunderer, mercenary, rebel, the protective matriarch of her family and her tribe.
Above all else she was a woman who broke the mould and refused to allow the barriers placed in her path, either by society or by nature, to deter her from her quest.
Grace O’Malley’s place and contribution to political, social and maritime history is now acknowledged and celebrated. Her factual story has been documented for radio and television worldwide and in a diverse range of printed media… most recently, if unlikely, in Forbes Magazine! Most importantly she is now part of schools historical curricula.
Over the years my own journey in the company of this remarkable woman has lead me to many places around the world to tell her story; from Montreal to the old pirate city of Port Royal in Jamaica, to Harvard university, from Greenwich to Galway and many places in between.
International focus on gender equality, the #MeToo movement and other feminist campaigns make the life of Grace O’Malley, albeit lived over 400 years ago, resonate even more today. She shines as an inspirational beacon to woman everywhere, throwing light on what they can achieve even, like her, in the most demanding and difficult circumstances and environments.
For Grace O’Malley it was to survive, against the odds, the political and social chaos and destruction perpetrated against herself, her family and followers during the military conquest of her country in the 16th century, as well as to survive the dangers and the awesome power of the formidable Atlantic Ocean.
As ageism in society, particularly attitudes to older women, comes under greater scrutiny today, that she retained her status as a woman of power and influence and remained actively involved, by land and sea to the end of her long life, makes Grace O’Malley a symbol of positive ageing too. And through her example comes the realisation for women everywhere that age need not be a terminus – but… as it was for her… just another port of call.
My voyage in the company of this pioneering woman continues, as her story – a testimony to female ability and endurance – is even more relevant today to counteract the widespread discrimination, inequality and negativity that continues to exist in politics, society, business and religion, preventing women from achieving and developing their potential and thereby depriving society of a reservoir of intuition, talent, knowledge and experience.

‘Grace O’Malley – The Biography of Ireland’s Pirate Queen, 1530-1603’, by Anne Chambers, is published by Gill Books. Other works by the Mayo-born author and historian include ‘TK Whitaker: Portrait of a Patriot’, ‘Eleanor Countess of Desmond’, ‘The Great Leviathan: the life of Howe Peter Browne, 2nd Marquess of Sligo (1788-1845)’ and ‘Lord Mayo: Son of the Pirate Queen 1567-1629’.