It was of a night, late, lang time agone, in an auldstane eld,
when Adam was delvin and his madameen spinning watersilts,
when mulk mountynotty man was everybully and the first leal
ribberrobber that ever had her ainway everybuddy to his love-
saking eyes and everybilly lived alove with everybiddy else, and
Jarl van Hoother had his burnt head high up in his lamphouse,
laying cold hands on himself. And his two little jiminies, cousins
of ourn, Tristopher and Hilary, were kickaheeling their dummy
on the oil cloth flure of his homerigh, castle and earthenhouse.
And, be dermot, who come to the keep of his inn only the niece-
of-his-in-law, the prankquean.
Grace O'Malley, also known as Grainne Mhaol, was a remarkable sixteenth-century Irish pirate who commanded the seas with her fleet of ships, imposing taxes on those she encountered. Her exploits brought her immense wealth, enabling her to construct fortified castles along the western coast of Ireland to safeguard her possessions. Among these legendary tales, one stands out, chronicling her encounter with the Lord of Howth, or Jarl van Hoother in the Wake. .
The enthralling story begins on page 21, where Grace O'Malley seeks refuge in Howth Castle and requests shelter for the night. However, her plea is met with a dismissive response, as the family is engrossed in their dinner and declines her entry. Undeterred and unwilling to accept a snub, Grace takes matters into her own hands. She boldly kidnaps the heir of the Howth family and brings him back to her domain in the West of Ireland.
To secure the safe return of the young heir, Grace makes a demand, one that would leave a lasting legacy on Howth Castle for generations to come. She insists that the gates of the castle should never again close at dinner hour and that a place should always be set at the table for any unexpected guest. This act of hospitality would ensure that no one would ever be turned away, and that the spirit of welcome and open-heartedness would forever be upheld in the castle.
This tradition, born from Grace O'Malley's daring escapade, endures to this day. The gates of Howth Castle remain open, and a place is always laid at the table for any unforeseen visitor, preserving the spirit of generosity and warmth that Grainne Mhaol epitomized.
The illustration, inspired by a visit to Grainne Mhaol's castle on Achill Island, showcases the towering structure that stands 12 meters high, strategically positioned overlooking Achill Sound. This vantage point was crucial for protecting Clew Bay and its surrounding areas. These traditional Irish tower houses, such as the one on Achill Island, often became integral parts of more extensive and opulent castles built in later periods.
In this captivating narrative of bravery and reciprocity, Grace O'Malley's encounter with the Lord of Howth becomes a defining moment in Irish history. Her audacious actions and the enduring tradition she established at Howth Castle continue to inspire and captivate visitors and admirers to this day, keeping her legendary spirit alive in the hearts of many..
