For International Women’s Day, we selected five Irish women and looked at their impact on the world.
Anne Bonney
Born Anne McCormac in Kinsale, Co. Cork, around 1700, Anne Bonney emerged as one half of one of the most legendary pirate duos in history. Alongside Mary Read, she plundered and pillaged her way through the Caribbean. One captive vividly described these adventuresses as: “very profligate, cursing and swearing much, and very ready and willing to do anything on board.”
St. Brigid
Brigid was one of Ireland’s three patron saints. Born in Dundalk in 450 AD, Brigid created the first unique cross which now bears her name. Additionally, she was an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and the founder of the Irish monastery in County Kildare. The Cross of St. Brigid is said to ward off evil, fire, and hunger; thus, it remains an old Irish symbol of protection.
Maureen O’Hara
The ultimate Irish glamazon, Maureen O’Hara made her way from Ranelagh in Dublin to the heights of stardom during Hollywood’s Golden Age. She dazzled audiences in now-beloved classics such as Miracle on 34th Street, Jamaica Inn, and, of course, The Quiet Man, with which she cemented her reputation as “The Queen of Technicolor.”
Queen Maeve
An ancient Irish manuscript known as the Táin tells of how Maeve, the Warrior Queen of Connacht, began a war to capture the most famous bull in Ireland. This particular tale is known as the “Cattle Raid of Cooley.” It was said that her husband had the finest bull in the country, but she heard the Cooley bull was better and subsequently set out successfully to capture it. Along the way, Queen Maeve battled the celebrated warrior Cuchulainn, who single-handedly took on Maeve’s army for the Men of Ulster.
Molly Malone
Molly Malone is the unofficial anthem of Ireland’s capital. The song tells the story of Molly Malone. Molly sells cockles and mussels in the market by day and plies a far less wholesome trade by night. The young woman sells her wares in the market with the catchy refrain: “Cockles and Mussels, Alive Alive-Oh!” Tragically, Malone dies of a fever and her ghost wanders the streets of Dublin at night calling out the familiar lines. In 1988, a statue installed at the heart of Dublin City cemented Molly’s status as a national treasure. Locals affectionately dubbed the beloved statue “The Tart With the Cart.”
Grace O’Malley
Born in 1530 to a chieftain and sea trader, Grace O’Malley became renowned as Gráinne Mhaol (trans. Gráinne the Bald) The Pirate Queen. Gráinne took to the sea-faring life and made a career island-hopping along the Irish west coast. Her fleet raided many English ships and she ultimately accumulated a vast wealth. The English army attempted to stop her, but after she visited Queen Elizabeth I in London and the two conversed in Latin, Elizabeth recalled her forces and released O’Malley’s family from captivity.
These Irish women highlight the diverse ways in which women from Ireland have shaped history and culture. Their impactful legacies continue to resonate, showcasing their enduring influence on the world.
