Rockfleet Castle

Known in Irish as Carraig a Chabhlaigh (Rock of the Fleet), Rockfleet Castle was under the ownership of the MacWilliam Burkes. Yet it is best known because of its associations with the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley.

Grace married her second husband, Richard an Iarainn Burke, in 1566 and moved into the Castle a year later. It is said that she continued her lifestyle of piracy from this base. Her activities led to a fleet from Galway City to arrive at Rockfleet in an attempt to besiege the Castle. Their attempt was unsuccessful.

Grace and her husband moved to Lough Mask in 1580, but when he died in 1584 she returned to Rockfleet. The appointment of Sir Richard Bingham as Governor of Connaught the same year created difficulties for Grace – her fleet was destroyed, and her properties confiscated – leading to her requesting an audience with Queen Elizabeth 1, which was eventually granted in 1593. A deal was agreed, allowing her to continue her former life.

The Castle is four storeys tall, and is located on an inlet of Clew Bay. At high tide, the water brushes against the Castle walls. Partial restoration took place on the Castle in the 20^th century by Sir Owen O’Malley, a direct descendant of Grace. Today, the OPW are carrying out further conservation works.

It is believed that Grace O’Malley died at Rockfleet in 1603.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014