She could steer a ship as long as she could walk. When she was barely a teenager, she took the wheel as captain of her first ship. She spent her young life learning the ways of the sea. Who was this brave and courageous leader? Grace O’Malley. Ambitious and successful, Grace O'Malley accomplished many daring things throughout her life and changed the course of others. At O'Malley Castle on Clare Island in 1530, Grace O'Malley, also known as Gráinne Ní Maille or Granuaile, was born. . As the only daughter of Eoghan O Maille, chief of Clan Mayo, Grace often sailed with her father's fleet on trading voyages (Murray by 1-2, León 60). Grace always knew she wanted to become a sailor, but was discouraged several times because she is a woman. Spending her young life learning the ways of the sea, she became a navigator ("Grace O'Malley" by 1-3). Owning her own fleet of ships, she took the wheel as captain of her first ship when she was barely a teenager ("Grace O'Malley par 1-3, León 62). Around 1546, Grace O'Malley married Dónal O' Flaherty. , nicknamed Dónal of the Battles and heir of Dónal Crone, in one of the neighboring counties called County Galway (Murray by 2, León 62-63). She had three children with Dónal, two boys, Owen and Murrough, and a girl, Maraget ("Grace O' Malley par 4-7). She continued to captain ships, raid ships, and lead an active maritime life. She often has her little ones on board (León 63). Grace led the O'Flaherty and Mayo fleets. She once commanded more than 200 fighters and three raiding ships. Then Queen Elizabeth overthrew the head of the O'Flaherty clan, and as Dónal was the heir, he was no longer next in line. Suddenly there was an attack on Dónal's fortress! I...... middle of paper ......012. “Grace O’malley, Irish pirate.” Assortment Articles: Free online articles on health, science, education and more.... Np, nd Web. February 22, 2012. .Grace O'Malley - Notable Ancestors. RootsWeb.com homepage. Np, nd Web. February 2, 2012. León, Vicki. Scandalous Women of the Renaissance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1999. Murray, Denise. » World Book Student, 2012. Web February 2, 2012. Elizabeth I State Papers, London Public Record Office, nd Web, February 8... 2012. .