Grace o'malice

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  • Grace O’Malley: the Irish name Gráinne Ní Mháille is Anglicized as Grace O'Malley and Granuaile; she was a renowned sea captain who led a band of 200 sea-raiders from the coast of Galway in the 16th century. She was twice widowed, twice imprisoned, fighting her enemies both Irish and English for her rights; condemned for piracy, and finally pardoned in London by Queen Elizabeth. After her warlike son Donal was killed in battle, O'Malley recaptured a castle from the Joyces that had been his (now Hen's Castle in Lough Corrib). Like Cathleen Ni Houlihan she is often seen as a poetic symbol for Ireland.

A widespread legend concerns an incident at Howth, which apparently occurred in 1576. During a trip from Dublin, O'Malley attempted to pay a courtesy visit to Howth Castle, home of the 8th Baron Howth. However, she was informed that the family was at dinner and the castle gates were closed against her. In retaliation, she abducted the Earl's son and heir, the 10th Baron. He was eventually released when a promise was given to keep the gates open to unexpected visitors, and to set an extra place at every meal. At Howth Castle today, this agreement is still honoured by the Gaisford St. Lawrence family, descendants of the Baron. (Wikipedia)

  • out of malice