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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Grace O'Malley statue in Newport
The story of the famous Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley from Mayo will be turned into a movie.
Acclaimed Irish filmmaker Kirsten Sheridan has optioned Grace O'Malley – The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen by renowned biographer Anne Chambers. The feature film, supported by Screen Ireland, will be produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures in collaboration with Reclaim Entertainment Ventures (Los Angeles), with a targeted production start in 2026.
Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominated writer and producer Sheridan, whose recent work includes Lockerbie (Sky/Peacock) and the Writer’s Guild of America and IFTA-nominated Say Nothing (Hulu/Disney+), has been developing the feature/TV project with Chambers for some time.
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The film will chronicle the extraordinary true story of Grace O’Malley culminating in her famous meeting with Queen Elizabeth I, the most powerful ruler in British history. When her youngest son is taken prisoner, Grace sails up the Thames to confront Queen Elizabeth directly. While perceived enemies, as women, while they question each other's identity, pierce each other's wounds, they win each other's respect and come together as equals to define, not just their nationality, but their most intimate selves.
“This is a deeply personal passion project for both Anne and myself,” said Sheridan. “Every Irish woman now knows Grace O’Malley’s story now thanks to Anne’s innovative biography. It is one of power, resilience, and rebellion. Grace O’Malley defied gender norms, social and political female bias, controlled her own destiny and won the respect of the most powerful woman in history.
Unlike traditional period dramas, Sheridan’s vision for the film is raw and contemporary, exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and gender with a fresh and provocative lens. The project will not only depict Grace’s legendary exploits but will also dive into her complex personal journey as a leader, mother and survivor.
READ: Michael Davitt legacy currently being preserved at Trinity College
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