Malley

The O'Malleys, Irish Uí Máille, were a seafaring Gaelic clan who by the twelfth century ruled Umhaill around Clew Bay in west County Mayo. Claiming descent from Maille mac Conall, they were once autonomous under the kings of Connacht and later vassals of the Mac William Íochtar Bourkes. They lined their coast with castles, charging black rent even to English fishermen.

Their most famous ruler was Gráinne Ní Mháille, Grace O'Malley, born about 1530, who after her father's death took charge of the family's lands and fleets, raiding and trading along the western seaboard.

In 1576 she submitted under surrender and regrant, and in 1593 she sailed to London and pleaded before Elizabeth I at Greenwich for the release of her two captive sons and her half-brother. She died about 1603, and Umhaill passed to her son Tibbot na Long.