Have you ever heard about the pirate Grace O'Malley? 

1-Write down all the words that you know related to pirates and piracy.

2 -Read these popular legends about Grace O´ Malley and answer the following questions:

- What was she like? Describe her personality. Use different adjectives. 

- What about her physical appearance? What did she look like?

 
- What type of clothes did she use to wear? 

A.

Local folklore said that Grace O´Malley (Ní Mháiller, in Irish), as a young girl, wished to go on a trading expedition to Spain with her father. Upon being told she could not because her long hair would catch in the ship’s ropes, she cut off most of her hair to embarrass her father into taking her. This earned her the nickname “Gráinne Mhaol” (meaning bald or having cropped hair). 

B.

Ní Mháille refused to bow before Elizabeth because she didn’t recognise her as the “Queen of Ireland”. It’s also rumoured that she had a dagger concealed about her person, which guards found upon searching her. Elizabeth’s courtiers were said to be very upset and worried, but Ní Mháille informed the Queen that she carried it for her own safety. Elizabeth accepted this and seemed untroubled. 

C.

Some also reported that Ní Mháille had sneezed and was given a lace-edged handkerchief from a noblewoman. She apparently blew her nose into it and then threw the cloth into a nearby fireplace, much to the shock of the court. Ní Mháille informed everyone that in Ireland, a used handkerchief was considered dirty and was properly destroyed.