On Monday morning, Marian and I took the 15-minute ferry ride to Clare Island, which guards the entrance to Clew Bay. As with most Irish landmarks, Clare Island has a rich history. In particular, it is associated with the “Pirate Queen” Grace O’Malley (Irish name Gráinne Ní Mháille, also known as Granuaile).
O'Malley was born in Ireland in 1530, when Henry VIII was on the throne of England. She was the daughter of the chieftain of the O'Malley clan, which controlled most of what is now South-West County Mayo. The O'Malleys were a great seafaring family and taxed all those who fished off their coasts, which included fishermen from as far away as England.
Grace O'Malley summered in Clare Island, in the Castle overlooking the harbour where her fleet of ships would be safely anchored. She engaged in revolutionary activity against the English crown, and her castle was attacked by an expedition from Galway intended to get rid of her. However, they were put to flight and barely escaped. In 1593 O'Malley sailed to England to petition Elizabeth I for the release of her two sons. Elizabeth apparently took to O'Malley, who was three years older, and she granted O'Malley's requests provided that her support of Irish rebellions and piracy against Great Britain ended. Their discussion was carried out in Latin, as O'Malley spoke no English and Elizabeth spoke no Irish.
Marian and I had a nice day walking across the island to the lighthouse and back. Here are some photos:
O'Malley was born in Ireland in 1530, when Henry VIII was on the throne of England. She was the daughter of the chieftain of the O'Malley clan, which controlled most of what is now South-West County Mayo. The O'Malleys were a great seafaring family and taxed all those who fished off their coasts, which included fishermen from as far away as England.
Grace O'Malley summered in Clare Island, in the Castle overlooking the harbour where her fleet of ships would be safely anchored. She engaged in revolutionary activity against the English crown, and her castle was attacked by an expedition from Galway intended to get rid of her. However, they were put to flight and barely escaped. In 1593 O'Malley sailed to England to petition Elizabeth I for the release of her two sons. Elizabeth apparently took to O'Malley, who was three years older, and she granted O'Malley's requests provided that her support of Irish rebellions and piracy against Great Britain ended. Their discussion was carried out in Latin, as O'Malley spoke no English and Elizabeth spoke no Irish.
Marian and I had a nice day walking across the island to the lighthouse and back. Here are some photos:
On the Way to Clare Island
The Harbour
Grace O'Malley's Castle
The Lighthouse, built in 1806 (Maz in pink staying well clear of cliff)
Croagh Patrick in Background (we climbed that last week)
13th Century Abbey
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