ENDHOME Grace O’Malley, Granuaile Chieftain, trader, pirate Ships.
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END HOME Grace O’Malley, Granuaile Chieftain, trader, pirate Ships
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Transcript of ENDHOME Grace O’Malley, Granuaile Chieftain, trader, pirate Ships.
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Grace O’Malley, GranuaileChieftain, trader, pirate
Ships
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The extent and quality of the O’Malley fleet is not precisely known but it seems to have been extensive. In 1591 Grace was reported to be ‘preparing herself with some XXte [20] boates in her companie to repaire after them [the Scots]’.
The clan’s usual type of ship was the galley, which originated in pre-Christian times, being used by the Phoenicians before 700 BC. The galley was a speedy and versatile craft, very suitable for use on the stormy Atlantic, with at least thirty oars plus sail. It could sail, moreover, in narrow or shallow waters where larger vessels could not enter. It could be used as a cargo, transport or fighting vessel.
While many descriptions of the Irish galley exist, as used by the O’Malley’s, no factual drawing has been preserved. The vessel illustrated in Jobson’s map of Ulster, 1590, is a galley with a sail, shown on the map in the sea between Cantyre and Rathlin Island. It probably represents one of the craft used by Scots mercenaries on their voyage between their own country and the Ulster coast.
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However, according to the English State papers, the O’Malley galleys seem to have been much larger and more closely resembled the Spanish or Venetian design rather than the Hebridean, probably some 80-100 feet in length.
In December 1559, the State Papers record: ‘There are three very good galleys with Tibbot ne Longe, sone to Grany O’Malley, his brother and O’Malley that will carry 300 men apiece. These, if employed by Her Majesty, would do much good in the north, and the O’Malleys are much feared everywhere by sea. There are no galleys in Ireland but these.’
In 1601, Captain Plessington, related that he had a skirmish with an O’Malley galley which was ‘rowed by thirty oars and had on board ready to defend her 100 good shot’.
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TransportedSoldiers
ExportedFish - salted and pickledLinenWoolHidesTallow
ImportedSpain & PortugalCopperSilkWineExotic foods & spices
figspomegranatescumincinnamonsaffron
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An artist’s impression of an O’Malley galley
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Replica of 30-oared galley used by Grace
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Drawing for a sixteenth century English galley, showing 54 oars and carrying 400 men
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Galley shown on 1567 map of Ireland
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Galley shown on 1567 map of Ireland
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Galley shown on Jobson’s map of Ireland, 1690
