The Pirate Queen of the Seas!

In 1545 A.D., Gráinne O'Malley (1530 – 1603), otherwise known as Grace O’Malley, was the famous Pirate Queen of Ireland.

She lived in a castle on the western coast of the country and raided French and Spanish ships as they travelled past on the sea.

Queen Elizabeth of England sent word that Grace O’Malley was ordered to come to London and appear before Her Majesty. It was very touchy to go to the English Queen who had a reputation for being viciously imperial and not a little bloodthirsty, however, Grace was high-spirited, too.

She mounted one of her raiding ships and took off to London even though she was extremely pregnant with her third child. Of course, the baby boy arrived just before their arrival in London. Grace wrapped her sea-born infant and appeared before The Queen with him in her arms.

Queen Elizabeth, haughty and powerful majesty as she was, was insulted, however she offered to have a nurse take the baby away while she interrogated the Pirate Queen.

NO. Grace stood arrogantly in front of the haughty Queen with her baby in her arms. After all, she was a queen as well.

Elizabeth was stunned. She looked at the little squalling infant and her attitude began to change. Finally, she reached out and took the baby in her royal arms. Her majesty called for a sword, then she dubbed the tiny baby with the title, Tibbot na Long Bourke or “Sir Theobold of the Ships!”

The little boy became a frequent guest of the Queen’s and grew up to be a leader in Irish warfare just as passionate as his beautiful mother, the Pirate Queen of Ireland.

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To read more of the story of Robert Emmet and his life and love, read "Ah, Those Irish Colleens!" by Helen Walsh Folsom.

Over the next several weeks, I will be publishing, with the aid of my daughter, Bettse Folsom, a series of answer & questions & snippets about Ireland that many people have asked me during events where I have attended. If you have a question, please contact me by email and I will be happy to address it.

Thank you for reading my blog!