Pirate Queen Gr‡inne the focus of new drama from AL‰ theatre

Gráinne Mhaol and the Pages of History a new production by ALâ Community Theatre Company will be staged in the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas, Galway City, on Wednesday, November 28 at 8pm.The epic tale of Grace O’Malley, better known as Gráinne Mhaol, continues to inspire awe, despite the passing of five centuries.

For this show, the audience is invited to step back to the 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I put her extraordinary handprint on history. A resurgent England, infused with vigour, humanism and national pride began its progress towards global domination.

Gráinne and Elizabeth were close in age; Gráinne was a little older. They were both born to high rank within their respective countries. Both achieved extraordinary power through their industry and intelligence. They both understood the importance of sea power. They both realised a new world was evolving. They both understood that their actions and strength would determine the world to come.  

From the 1560s onwards, the great Spanish empire was determined to destroy English power to dominate the western ocean. To this end, Philip II of Spain built a great troop-carrying fleet known as the Armada.

Anticipating a Spanish invasion Elizabeth focused on Ireland, seeking to consolidate her power here and prevent a Spanish take-over. It was at this point she came into contact with Gráinne Mhaol.

Grace O’Malley, with her husband Hugh de Lacy effectively ruled West Connacht at this time and, for 30 years, was involved in foiling attempt to impose English autonomy west of the Shannon. Gráinne Mhaol fought four separate wars in the years preceding the Armada, keeping the English and particularly Elizabeth’s governor General Bingham, at bay.

The eventual failure of the Armada in 1588 seemed to reduce the Irish threat. The English administration took revenge on agents considered to be disloyal. Gráinne’s fleet was burned and Tiboid, her son was taken hostage. Hugh O’Neill and his confederate Hugh O’Donnell were incarcerated in Dublin Castle. It seemed the Irish resistance was at an end.

Grace O’Malley sailed to Greenwich to meet Elizabeth, in order to release her son and have her property rights guaranteed. The visit was a success. Shortly afterwards O’Neill and O’Donnell escaped from Dublin Castle and began the Nine Years’ War. Grace supported this attempt to rid the country of English power. The war finished in 1601 at Kinsale with an English victory. Elizabeth died the following year, her conquest of Ireland complete. Grace O’Malley died in 1603 as the Treaty of Mellifont was signed. She died as the Gaelic Ireland, which she had come to represent, was being consigned to history.

But she has remained a powerful figure in the Irish imagination and is a fitting topic for ALâ theatre group’s latest production.

ALâ, which was founded in 2004 is an inclusive personal social and community development organisation, catering for adults of all abilities, nationalities and ethnic groups. It mainly uses techniques developed by Theatre of the Oppressed. It is a not-for-profit organisation with charitable status.

Tickets, €10, available at Holland’s Newsagents, Williamsgate St.