GRANUAILE
It was in such a post-succession scuffle in 1586 that Bingham managed to capture her and she was apprehended and tied with a rope, both she and her followers at that instant were spoiled of their said cattle and of all that ever they had besides the same, and brought to Sir Richard who caused a new pair of gallows to be made for her last funeral where she thought to end her days
Giving over her son-in-law, 'Devil's Hook' she was allowed to go but Bingham had taken over 1,000 cattle and horses which were her livelihood. She, herself, gives an account of the brutal treatment he enforced upon her son
The said Owen, according to Sir Richard's special direction, did withdraw himself, his followers and tenants, with all their goods and cattle into a strong island, for their more and better assurance. There have been sent against the said rebels 500 soldiers, under the leading of Captain John Bingham, appointed by his brother Sir Richard Bingham as his lieutenant in those parts, when they missed both the rebels and their cattle, they came to the mainland right against the said island calling for victuals, whereupon the said Owen came forth with a number of boats and ferried all the soldiers into the island, where they were entertained with the best cheer they had.
That night the said Owen was apprehended and tied with a rope with 18 of his chief followers; in the morning the soldiers drew out of the island four thousand cows, five hundred stud mares and horses and a thousand sheep, leaving the remainder of the poor men naked within the island, [they] came with the cattle and prisoners to Bally-ne-heussy aforesaid, where John Bingham aforesaid stayed for their coming; that evening he caused the said 18 persons, without trial or good cause, to be hanged, among them was hanged a gentleman of land and living, called Thebault O-Tool, being of the age of four score and ten years. The next night following, a false alarm was raised in the camp in the dead of the night, the said Owen being fast bound in the cabin of Grene O'Molloy, and at that instant the said Owen was cruelly murdered, having 12 deadly wounds, and in that miserable sort he ended his years and unfortunate days.
The Gráinne Mhaol - Directors Note
We have not attempted to create an accurate historical account of her life but rather allow some of the many episodes to inspire us visually and in terms of narrative. Her story is both complex and epic. Our telling of it is just one journey through that complexity.
Kathi Leahy - July 2002
Press Reviews
What the encircled space has done, however, is to contain the performance. This means there is a narrative; or at least a series of episodes to inspire both audience and artists and to give some insight into the life and legend of Grace O'Malley; who was better known as Granuaile, the Pirate Queen.
But this is no accurate historical document. Instead it is a myriad of colours and costumes, masks and music. It is primarily engaged in creating an atmosphere of Celtic mythology; and the production is suffused with an air of ancient Ireland, felt through the careful attention to costumes, the beautifully eerie music and the spectacular nature of the props.
Indeed, it is the large scale venue which has allowed Macnas to give
full vein to its genius for creating the most :magnificent of props.
Among them here is a large scale wooden boat, the vessel used by Grainne
to carry out of her pirate raids. On the stage, it is split in two, making
it appear even more mammoth.
Sunday Tribune
21 July 2002 - RA
