Book cover of Granuaile: Sea Queen of Ireland

Book description

This children's book tells the story of a pirate queen who overcame the limitations of her gender and became a legend.

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Granuaile as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The book highlights the little known history of a female 16th century Irish chieftain who resisted English rule and fought her local enemies during a time when women were socially repressed. The colorful and turbulent history of Ireland during the Tudor expansion is examined within the context of O’Malley’s struggles and triumphs. Her audience with Queen Elizabeth I as an equal is a fascinating highlight of this excellent work of non-fiction.

Grace O’Malley was my first pirate love and will forever hold a special place in my heart. This is the seminal biography of her by the woman who basically singlehandedly brought her whole story to the world. Anne Chambers is one of my women pirate researcher heroines and her depth of knowledge on Grace is unmatched. This book reads like a novel and is packed with amazing tales. I have read this one many times!

If you love Granuaile...

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Beyond Derrynane by Kevin O'Connell,

Wed in an arranged marriage to a man nearly fifty years her senior, sixteen-year-old Eileen O'Connell goes from being one of five unmarried sisters to becoming the mistress of Ballyhar, the great estate of John O'Connor, one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Ireland.

When O'Connor dies suddenly…

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