Born in 1530, the Pirate Queen Granuaile was raised in an Ireland where English law was usurping Gaelic sovereignty. She refused to submit to authority and raided merchant ships bound for Galway Bay. According to legend, she fought off English troops besieging her stronghold by melting the roof and pouring molten lead on her attackers. The stories of her resistance, spread by ballad singers for centuries, became a symbol for Irish nationalism. Irish-American folk singer Dan Milner adapted one such political broadside, "Granuaile," for Smithsonian Folkways' newly released "Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea."
Hear Granuaile and The Ballad of Ó Bruadair / Out on the Ocean
Music courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. Please click here to purchase or for more information
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Comments (18)
My ancestors were Irish from both of my parents.I just now got into Irish music and I love it!These songs were great.I feel we should never forget our ancestors and where we actually came from before they came to America.Thank you for the remembrance.
Posted by crhoosier on January 13,2011 | 12:14 PM
I really enjoyed these songs!I have never heard Irish pirate songs before and they were delightful.I am of Irish descent and these songs were stirring,full of passion and pride.Thank you for preserving them,so others can remember part of this heritage.
Posted by Carolyn Jones on January 3,2011 | 12:34 AM
As a former Coastguardsman and a descent of Irish ancestors, these songs brought a tear to me eye. They truly did!
Posted by R.W.Kimball on February 13,2010 | 10:49 AM
Being of Irish/Scot hertiage and woman of the sea I enjoyed this immensely, Hail Queen Granuaile!!!
Posted by Deb McArthur Morrow on October 4,2009 | 01:51 PM
Thanks for the Irish music,listening to it brings back a lot of childhood memories.
Posted by catherine wood on March 15,2009 | 01:26 AM
Thanks for the great Irish music,I get emotional when I hear it.
Posted by Catherine Wood on March 15,2009 | 01:22 AM
It worked beautifully on my Mac - and was so worth it! Thank you from another pirate queen.
Posted by Courtney Doyle on March 12,2009 | 10:34 PM
Sadly it failed to work for me. Guess it is not Mac friendly.
Posted by Michael Fahrion on March 12,2009 | 03:49 PM
You should get some of the music from the "Wood's Tea Company". They definitely have some sea shanties!
Posted by mike on March 11,2009 | 11:56 AM
Thank you, so much. Could hardly wait to share this site with my friend, Karyne. We have both been to Granuaile's Clare Island in Clew Bay and the Granuaile Museum in Louisburgh... Hail the Irish Pirate Queen!
Posted by Denise Kelsay on March 7,2009 | 01:06 PM
My grandsons (A band of Irish Pirates if ever there were one!) will love this!
Posted by Jim McCurdy on March 6,2009 | 06:07 PM
As a Corkman, I found these two songs were delightful. Out on the Ocean is terrific. Congrats.
Posted by David Mahoney on March 4,2009 | 02:51 PM
I'm a middle school librarian and plan to share this with the English classes studying "Treasure Island" - this ought to shiver their timbers!!
Posted by Dixie West on March 4,2009 | 11:56 AM
Very cheerful storytelling & simply soothing melodies. Hail Granuail.
Posted by Patrick Gallagher on March 1,2009 | 04:28 PM
Do you have anymore raw emerald necklaces and earrings?
Posted by deborah brandt on February 26,2009 | 11:04 PM
Absolutely delightful. Wonderful music with the historic stories sung beautifully.
Posted by Rich Delaney on February 26,2009 | 04:25 PM
Being of Irish heritage and a man of the sea, I found this collection of shantys delightful. Thanks for sharing them! Brian Pike San Diego, Ca.
Posted by Brian Pike on February 25,2009 | 04:53 PM
Oh how you brought to the front my Irish roots/I thoroughly am enjoying listening to "Granuaile and The Ballad of O'Bruadair/out on the ocean". I am a second generation Irishman residing in the USofA Ireland forever "calling" me back to my origin. Thank you.
Posted by Madeline "Garvey" Duda on February 25,2009 | 08:55 AM