This is the historic gateway which Grace O'Malley found closed against her when she sought hospitality at the Castle and kidnapped the grandson of the owner, the Earl of Howth, in revenge.
For more information see page 54 Granuaile: Grace O'Malley - Ireland's Pirate Queen
The GRACE O'MALLEY TRAIL Picture no. 2: Westport House County Mayo
Grace O'Malley and her Crew - Emma, Alison and Yvette Canavan.
For more information see page 143 GRANUAILE: GRACE O'MALLEY - IRELAND'S PIRATE QUEEN
This summer I hope to revisit areas in the west of Ireland and elsewhere associated with the factual story of Grace O'Malley and which motivated me to write her biography. My journey will be in no particular order...just as I happen to visit.
The Grace O'Malley Trail
PIC no. 1
This picture was taken on 3-June-2016 from the lower reaches of Diamond Mountain high above Letterfrack, in the magnificent Connemara National Park, and shows Letterfrack and Tully bays, part of the territory ruled by Donal O'Flaherty, Grace's first husband, whom she married c. 1546. The ruins of Renvyle Castle, which she later attacked by sea, is also nearby. Anne
Author of six biographies, historical novel, collection of short stories, film screenplays, stage and radio plays, Anne writes, lectures and has been interviewed around the world about her writing ( see dedicated pages for publication details )
Her books have been made into Radio and TV drama-documentaries for Discovery Channel. Learning Channel, RTE etc and have been translated and published abroad. She has appeared regularly on radio and TV programmes, most recently on the BBC’s popular series Who Do You Think You Are, on Nationwide RTE I and RTE Lyric FM.
She was short-listed for the GPA Irish Book Awards (biography) and for the 2004 Irish Hennessy Literary Awards (short story).
