Who Did What Now with Katie Charlwood

From the Vault: Grainne Mhaoil, the Irish Pirate Queen

Released: December 2, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this lively “from the vault” episode, historian and podcast host Katie Charlwood dives into the thrilling, rebellious life of Gráinne Mhaol (Grania O’Malley), also known—often incorrectly—as "Grace O’Malley", the fierce 16th-century Irish Pirate Queen. With passionate insistence on using Gráinne’s authentic name, Katie challenges colonial perceptions, lays out the rich fabric of Irish social and political life during Gráinne’s era, and details the Pirate Queen’s exploits in unapologetically spirited, humorous, and engaging style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Name Matters: Colonialism, Language, and Identity

• [01:43–04:56] Katie opens with a (shortened) rant about the colonial erasure and misnaming of Gráinne Mhaol. She strongly advocates for using Gráinne’s correct name, challenging the anglicization to “Grace O’Malley”:
  • “It's not the Anglicized version. It's nothing. It's what some dude several hundred years after her death decided was a better name for her. So, no, no, it's a colloquial lightwashing of Irish history… If you can say yon, you can say Gron, Gronja. You can say Granya. Both are acceptable. We don't care. So as long as you try.”
    — Katie Charlwood [02:36]
• Plea for respecting women’s historical identities.

2. Sources and Historical Approach

• [04:56–06:04] Katie lists both primary and secondary sources, blending respected histories and podcasts—demonstrating a well-rounded research base.
• Relevance of oral tradition: “History in Ireland is oral, oral, oral, oral. One of those. Heard. Spoken.” [57:46]

3. The Irish Context: Brehon Law, Society, Gender Roles

• [06:05–10:00] Explains the Irish socio-political order and the concept of Brehon law:
  • Irish chiefs were elected, not strictly hereditary.
  • Marriages under Brehon law preserved women’s rights and property.
  • Ireland’s supposed “homogeneity" is a colonial myth; intermarriage and cultural integration were common.
  • “It was more of a best man for the job sort of thing, as opposed to fealty, being sworn to the testicles, like, a lot of the time. That's how hereditary ruling works. You're basically just swearing allegiance to sperm.” [13:05]

4. Gráinne’s Early Life: Origin of “Bald Gráinne”

• [15:20–20:33] Gráinne exhibits fierce determination even as a child:
  • Cuts off her hair to join her father at sea, earning the nickname “Mhaol” (bald).
  • “Like, I can just imagine Granya lobbing her hair off in, like, the Mulan cartoon style... Because she wanted to get on that damn ship.” [18:37]
• Saved her father’s life in a pirate attack as a child, emphasizing her audacious spirit.

5. Education and Language

• [23:10–25:00] Gráinne was unusually well-educated for a woman of her time:
  • Likely spoke Irish, Scots, Spanish, Latin, and perhaps English (though possibly refused out of “pettiness and spite”).
  • Learned leadership and seafaring directly from her father, especially after her mother’s death.

6. Marriage, Power, and Clan Loyalty

• [25:01–29:36] Married twice: First to Dónal Ó Flaithbheartaigh (Donal O’Flaherty) at 16; second to Richard an Iarainn Bourke (“Iron Richard”).
  • Both marriages were strategic political alliances.
  • Under Irish law, Gráinne retained her own property and wealth.

7. Life as a Pirate Queen

• [14:00–44:19, key sections throughout] Gráinne used a mix of piracy, trade, and political negotiation to maintain power.
  • Taxed local fisheries, engaged in international trade with Spain.
  • “They had all of that income, but, you know, it's not steady... so on the back burner, they also had farmland...” [14:25]
• Led men at sea and in battle, personally involved in raids, rescues, and revenge missions—gained the respect of 200 fighting men.
• “She gained the respect and the allegiance of 200 fighting men. Like, she would have to be a good leader. She would have had to have earned their respect—because they wouldn't have just followed her blindly.” [31:07]
• Retained power after both marriages ended.

8. Feuds, Revenge, and Legendary Exploits

• [32:00–39:50]
  • Avenged dead husbands and lovers (“I appreciate that level of passion.” [56:10]).
  • Led sieges, took control of castles, notably renaming Cox Castle to “Hen’s Castle” after defeating its defenders.

9. Encounters with English Power & Queen Elizabeth I

• [41:00–51:20]
  • Faced multiple English officials bent on crushing her—especially Sir Richard Bingham, who blamed her for “every single rebellion… for the last 40 years.” [39:35]
  • After the English impounded her fleet and her family suffered, Gráinne sailed to England to petition Queen Elizabeth directly.
    • Refused to bow or curtsy: “I am Queen of Ireland. Why would I curtsy to you? Like, we're both queens. Deal with it.” [53:55]
    • Negotiated in Latin (as Elizabeth didn’t speak Irish).
    • Notorious for an episode where she blew her nose in a handkerchief and threw it in the fire, to the horror of the English court:
      “She blows her nose and then throws... the handkerchief into the fire... And Gronja's like, what? It was dirty. So I got rid of it.” [51:05]
  • Ultimately received a pension and kept most of her lands, continuing to rule and sail into old age.

10. Final Years and Lasting Legacy

• Active in piracy and leadership into her 70s and even 80s. Last reported in 1601; died naturally in 1603.
• “There are reports and sightings of her up until 1601. So she's in her 80s, still doing all this stuff… In 1603, age finally catches up with Granja and she dies of natural causes. Or, I don't know, at this point, I think the sea just claimed her. They're like, come on now, honey, one of us.” [55:11]

Notable Quotes

• On names, identity and colonial erasure:
  • "History should be provided by those who want to tell the truth, not just the colonized version of it. ... She deserves her fucking name." — Katie Charlwood [04:56]
• On leadership:
  • “She would have had to have earned their respect—because they wouldn't have just followed her blindly.” — Katie Charlwood [31:07]
• On women’s agency under Brehon law:
  • “Everything the woman has, the dowry and everything else... when she leaves that marriage, she takes everything back with her.” [26:00]
• On colonial history:
  • "Ireland is oral, oral, oral, oral. One of those. Heard. Spoken. So we don’t necessarily have the perfect timeline, but we do our best with what we have." [57:46]
• On legendary exploits:
  • “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Like every time someone near her is executed, she's like, I'm coming for you. Imma get you and I' ma burn it down. And I appreciate that level of passion. I really do." — Katie Charlwood [56:10]
• On Gráinne’s boldness at court:
  • “She wouldn’t curtsy to the Queen because she’s like, I am the Queen of Ireland. Why would I curtsy to you? Like, we're both queens. Deal with it.” [53:55]
• On the enduring spirit of piracy:
  • "You cannot keep Granya off a boat... pirating has no age limit, that's good." [56:01]

Memorable Moments & Anecdotes

• The “kid logic” of Gráinne cutting her hair to join the ship: [17:00–20:33]
• Divorcing her second husband by yelling out a window: [36:40]
• The nose-blowing handkerchief scandal in Queen Elizabeth's court: [51:05]
• Setting fire to her son’s belongings after he betrays her: [48:40]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:43–04:56] – Katie’s explanation on the importance of Gráinne’s real name.
• [05:00–10:00] – Overview of medieval Irish politics, Brehon law, and cultural fluidity.
• [15:20–20:33] – The origin of “bald Gráinne,” early displays of fierce independence.
• [25:01–29:36] – Marriages, power structures, and Gráinne’s unique legal standing.
• [32:00–39:50] – Her vengeful campaigns, battle strategies, and legendary exploits.
• [41:00–51:20] – Clash with English authorities, meeting with Queen Elizabeth I.
• [55:00–55:20] – Gráinne’s old age, enduring piracy, and natural death.

Language and Tone

Katie Charlwood’s style is irreverent, witty, proudly Irish, and deeply passionate about historical truth and female agency. She uses humor, occasional profanity, and pop culture references, keeping history energetic and human.

Takeaways

• Gráinne Mhaol is a complex, powerful figure whose story challenges colonial simplifications and celebrates Irish autonomy and women’s agency.
• The episode playfully dismantles myths, passionately insists on historical accuracy, and commemorates one of history’s most formidable maritime women.
• Above all, Katie encourages listeners to honor Gráinne’s real name and share her story widely—as a matter of justice, not just interest.

Final Note from Katie:
"Pirating has no age limit... Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Every time someone near her is executed, she's like, I'm coming for you... and I appreciate that level of passion." [56:01]

For fan recommendations:

• Listen to Pretty Boys by Katie Bear
• Read A Bloody Good Massacre by David Scott
• Watch Muppet Treasure Island (“a quality movie”)
  [58:30–59:30]

Share this episode. Use her real name. Keep history bold.