Pirates & Privateers: Anne Chambers's Books

“This was a notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland.” In 1595, Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, wrote these words after meeting Gráinne (Grace) O’Malley, also known as Granuaile. She competed successfully in a man’s world, but never forgot she was a woman. Daughter of an Irish chieftain, she went to sea at a young age. She married twice, had several children, and cared for her people. She loved the sea and sailing, and soon had a formidable force that attacked ships and traveled to distant ports. She became a thorn in England’s side, but refused to let the threat of death interfere with her love for her children and her home.

Anne Chambers delves into the world of Granuaile and how she went from young Irish colleen to pirate queen. She also includes a chapter on Granuaile’s descendants, as well as poems, genealogy tables, and several primary documents dealing with Granuaile, including her two petitions to Queen Elizabeth and her responses to the eighteen Articles of Interrogatory. A bibliography and index finish the book.

First written in 1979, Granuaile has been in print ever since. It is a fascinating look into a life that history almost overlooked. Chambers puts Granuaile’s life into context, examining what life was like in traditional Ireland and how the English forever altered that life, as well as the politics involved. The inclusion of the primary documents and examples from the bards who kept this pirate queen’s memory alive are priceless treasures. Near the end of the book there is evidence of some sloppy editing, but this does nothing to detract from the value of this tome.

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