Umhaill

Umhaill
8th century–1576
Map of Umaill (dark green) within County Mayo.
Map of Umaill (dark green) within County Mayo.
StatusTúatha of Connacht (until 1235)
Common languagesMiddle Irish, Early Modern Irish, Latin
Religion
Catholic Christianity
Gaelic tradition
GovernmentTanistry
 
• -773
Flannabhra
• 1580–1603
Grace O'Malley
History 
• Established
8th century
• Disestablished
1576
ISO 3166 codeIE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Partraige
Mac William Íochtar
Kingdom of Ireland
Today part ofIreland

Umhaill or Umhall (anglicized as Owill[1] or Owel) was a Gaelic territory around Clew Bay in the west of what is now County Mayo, Ireland, comprising the baronies of Burrishoole (Lower Owel) and Murrisk (Upper Owel).[2] By the 12th century, its ruling dynasty were known as the Uí Máille (O'Malleys). Originally an autonomous part of the kingdom of Connacht, it later became one of the vassal territories of the Mac William Íochtar. Umhaill's last and most famous ruler was Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille), nicknamed "the pirate queen". In 1576, during the Tudor conquest of Ireland, she agreed to the surrender and regrant policy, accepting English inheritance law in return for official title deeds to her lands. On her death the lands were inherited by her son Tibbot "na Long". Umhaill had a strong seafaring culture.[2] Important sites associated with it include Carrickkildavnet Castle, Carrickahowley Castle, Granuaile's Castle and Clare Island Abbey.

  1. ^ "Burrishoole". Placenames Database of Ireland.
  2. ^ a b Chambers, Anne (1988). Granuaile: The Life and Times of Grace O'Malley. Wolfhound Press. pp. 11–12.