Black Pirate Tickets Information

The legend, Grace was born at County Mayo, Ireland in 1530. She was Owen O'Malley’s daughter. Owen was elected chieftain of Umhall Uachtarach (Barony of Murrisk). Grace family was famous for its sailing prowess since 1123. The family was known to travel regularly to Spain and Scotland in their ships. Grace since her childhood was quite like a 'tomboy', she was brought up with her half-brother Donal-na-Piopa on Clare Island. Grace being very close to her father resented his long departures that he uses to take as a captain. Once Grace cut off her hair and dressed like a boy to prove that she is able to handle the voyage. Her family have had a good laugh at this incident and nicknamed her "Grainne Mhoal" or "Bald Grace". However, she accompanied her father on the voyage and his small fleet of ships. There is another later incident when she saved her father's life. At that time the ship was under attack, Grace was ordered by her father to hide below but instead she came out spying an invader who was slowly coming up behind her father. She jumped on his back kicking, biting and screaming. This attaching incident of Grace distracted the English attackers so much that the Irish won the day. This proved as a first step for her future career. Grace married Donal O'Flaherty in 1546. He was the Tanist of the O'Flaherty Clan. Grace gave birth to three children; Owen, Murrough and Margaret. Unfortunately Ireland was quickly falling to the English under the policy called "Submit and Regrant" started by Henry VIII. The policy only allowed Irish Chieftains to keep their lands till they accepted English rule. The drawback was prohibition of transport of goods by other than English ships and true Irish trade was sternly restricted. Such obstacles in trade along with her husband’s irresponsible behavior bankrupted her. Her husband died in a battle. She returned home penniless with her kids but her morale was as high as ever. She once again made another force of sea raiders of 200 men; she was highly respected for her fighting skills and knowledge. In 1566 she married again Richard Bruke. That marriage was purely for the sake of the benefit of the people. She was imprisoned twice in her life. She was also condemned to death once but later pardoned by the Queen Elizabeth 1. But through out her life she has proved herself a woman of steel, substance and strength. Her life is full of adventure but these adventures are drenched in hardships and pains that she bore whole her life and remained a pirate till her last days. Grace stopped accompanying the ships in the last part of her age due to the age factor. She died in 1603. The story of Grace is so excited and thrilling; there are so many plays and dramas already written on such topics. Now awesome true story of Grace is developed into a musical written by Cluade-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil. Tony award winner Frank Galati will direct it whereas Jhon Dempsey is the co-lyrists. There is less to say about this musical but much to experience. Audiences that are interested in experiencing the extra-ordinary should get ready to view what they ever dreamed of watching? The thrill will transport you in another world that is of sea. Action, adventure and fearless life of a legend will leave you cherishing the play long after you saw it.