(r. 1530-1603)
Grace O’Malley or Gráinne Ní Mháille was born in 1530 in Umhaill, Connacht, Ireland. She was known as “The Pirate Queen”. She may not have had a crown, but she was a land owner, Sea Captain, and Political Activist. When she was a young adolescent, her father would not allow her to board ships due to her being a girl, however, Grace was so determined that she cut her hair to appear as a boy in order to get on the ship.
Throughout her life and marriages she has had many losses, but gained her land overtime, and became the Captain after her father passed. She had a minor encounter with Queen Elizabeth I since the English we’re owning more land of Ireland, but Grace requested for her sons and half-brother to be released from prison, and Elizabeth granted her. In turn she lost some of her land as it was never resolved.
Grace was clever and charming, as well as intelligent, cunnig, and brave. Interestingly enough, she died the year of 1603.. The same year as Elizabeth I.
