They were moms, sisters, daughters, and spouses, but another thing they all had in common was that they were fierce warriors. Throughout history and all around the world, warrior women have taken up arms and fought alongside their male counterparts. Despite being vastly outnumbered by the men, these fearsome females have each made a permanent mark on history.

1. Grace O’Malley



In the early 14th century the Clan O’Malley, a great seafaring family, rose to their power. They ruled the southern shore of Clew Bay and the most of barony of Murrisk for over 300 years. They were ruthless pirates and terrorised the ships to and from Galway town, taxing all those who fished off their coasts. They traded with some coastal areas of France and Spain and built a row of castles facing the sea to protect their territory.

Their coat of arm bore the Latin Motto “Terra Marique Putens” (Valiant by sea and land). The most famous O’Malley was Grainne or Grace O’Malley. She was born around 1530 at Belcare Castle near Westport . She was the only daughter of Eoghan Dubhdara (Black Oak) O’Malley and Margaret or Maeve Ní Mháille. She is commonly known by her Irish nickname Granuaile or Gráinne ni Mhaille, a name reputed to come from the Irish for bald (Mhaol). According to legend Grannie, as a young girl, wanted to join her father on the sea and travel with him to Spain. Her mother disagreed saying she was a girl and not a sailor. Grainne shaved off her hair to disguise herself as a boy. Her father gave in and so Grainne got on board and became Grainne Mhaol.

As a child she lived at her family’s castles of Belclare Castle and Clare Island . She was educated and it is said she spoke Latin.

She was born to be galley captain, sea trader, sea raider, virago, diplomat and a great leader. She had a force of character that comes only once in a century.

When her father died she inherited his large shipping and ‘trading business’ and became Queen of Umaill, chieftain of the Ó Máille clan.

She gave birth to her son Tiobóid at sea, and within an hour, when her galley was boarded by Algerian pirates, she, wrapped in a blanket, appeared on deck leading her ships into battle and so her crew, rallied again, captured the pirate vessel.

She had control on several castles including Rockfleet in Clew Bay, Doona on Blacksod, Kildavnet on Achill Island and the O’Malley Castle on Clare Island.

It was there Granuaile lived in summer. Clare Island was her stronghold, a place she loved so much and, above all, strategically placed at the centre of her sea kingdom. It is said she used to tie the mooring ropes of her galley to her bed through her bed-room window, ready to get on board quickly. From Knockmore she could send or receive messages and repeat them on other towers on Inishturk, Achill or Doona using smoke columns or flags of different colours.

2. Rani Lakshmibai


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Wow fantabulous