In the summer of 1811, and likewise in that of 1824, the author of these volumes sailed past this stupendous rock, and the Scotch sailors on board informed him, that the rent received from the produce of this rock by Lord Cassilis, amounted to upwards of £30 per annum.
CHAPTER VII.—Vol. i., p. 169.
Grace O'Malley, formerly better known in Ireland by the name (in popular parlance) of Grana Uile; and so called from the Castle of Carrick Uley, the ruins of which are stationed at the extremity of an inlet in the bay of Newport, in the county of Mayo. The proper name is Carrick a Uile, or, "the rock in the elbow;" in allusion to the impending mountain which crowns it, the strength of the castle, and the recess in which it is situated.
In this castle resided Grace O'Malley. Her family were from time immemorial considerable on the north-west coast of Ireland, their principality extending from the lake called Lough Corrib, in the county of Galway, to Croagh Patrick, in the county of Mayo, and from thence to the borders of the town of Sligo, a considerable tract of which is still called "the Uisles of O'Malley;" a fine fertile country, chiefly skirted by the sea; the bays and harbours excellent, and beautifully interspersed with verdant islands, many of which are inhabited. For aptness of local situation for maritime affairs and naval exploits, the lords of the territory became early conspicuous; in attestation of which the motto to the family name is, "Terra marique potens,"—Powerful alike by land and sea.
Grace O'Malley was daughter of Owen O'Malley, and widow of O'Flaherty, two Irish chieftains who flourished in that country. Upon the death of O'Flaherty Grace married Sir Richard Bourke, who died in 1585, leaving three sons and one daughter the fruits of this marriage. Upon the death of her husband and of her father, from necessity Grace O'Malley (then Bourke) undertook the management of family concerns, acting with firmness and resolution, keeping up her fleet for the protection of her castles and estates, so essentially necessary in stormy and turbulent times, and from this circumstance many considered her, and in popular belief to this day she is still considered, as a pirate!
Grace, or Grana Uile, was a high-spirited lady, and became fond at an early age of the watery element, accompanying her father and his sept, or clan, in many naval exploits. The coast was plundered of cattle and other property, and many people were murdered in these predatory expeditions.
Grana was ever foremost in danger. Courage and conduct secured her success; and the affrighted natives along the north-west shore trembled at her name.—Many hardy and daring mariners from distant parts sought her service, attracted by her fame. Her vessels of the largest description were kept moored in Clare Island, where she possessed a large castle, and her smaller craft were kept stationed at Carrick a Uile.
Tradition relates that her piracies became so notorious, and her power so dangerous, that Grana was proclaimed, and a reward of five hundred pounds offered for her apprehension. Resolving to make her peace with England's Queen, she attended the court of Elizabeth, accompanied with a large retinue, a guard of gallo-glasses bearing partisans, and clad in saffron robes, who attracted great and universal attention.