The Abduction of Lord Howth's Heir by Grace O'Malley

" It was of a night, late, lang time agone, in an auldstane eld, when Adam was delvin and his madameen spinning watersilts, when mulk mountynotty man was everybully and the first leal ribberrobber that ever had her ainway everybuddy to his love- saking eyes and everybilly lived alove with everybiddy else, and Jarl van Hoother had his burnt head high up in his lamphouse, laying cold hands on himself. And his two little jiminies, cousins of ourn, Tristopher and Hilary, were kickaheeling their dummy on the oil cloth flure of his homerigh, castle and earthenhouse. And, be dermot, who come to the keep of his inn only the niece-of-his-in-law, the prankquean." FW. 21

 

One of the most famous tales associated with Howth Castle is the captivating story of the abduction of the heir of the house of Howth by none other than Grace O'Malley, also known as Grainne Uaile. This tale, steeped in legend, remains an enduring testament to the enduring power of Irish folklore and the complex dynamics of hospitality and tradition.

 

The legend unfolds around the year 1575, during a period when Grace O'Malley, the intrepid seafaring chieftain, had returned from a visit to Queen Elizabeth I. Upon her return to the shores of Howth, she harboured hopes of being admitted to dine with Lord Howth, the owner of the grand castle, and to secure provisions for her voyage back to County Mayo. In keeping with the long-held Irish traditions of hospitality, Grace expected open arms and a warm welcome.

 

However, upon her arrival at the castle, she was met with a sight that deeply offended her. The imposing gates of Howth Castle were shut tightly, denying her entry and thus, in her eyes, transgressing the sacred laws of Irish hospitality. Her sense of insult was profound.

 

The legend takes an even more dramatic turn when the young heir to Lord Howth, likely a child at the time, was taken to the shoreline to catch a glimpse of Grace O'Malley's mighty ship. In a daring and audacious move, she seized this opportunity and abducted the young heir, whisking him away to the remote beauty of Clew Bay.

 

Grace O'Malley's ransom for the safe return of the heir was a pledge from Lord Howth and his household. They promised never to close the gates of the castle during the dinner hour and to set a place at the table for any unexpected guest who might arrive. This promise was solemnly kept, and to this very day, an extra place is laid at the table at Howth Castle, a poignant reminder of a legendary episode in Irish history.

 

While historical records suggest that Grace O'Malley did not visit Queen Elizabeth until 1593, by which time there was no heir of the appropriate age, it is believed that she was indeed in Dublin in 1576, visiting the Lord Deputy. Thus, this date seems the most plausible for the incident of the abduction, forever etched in the annals of Irish lore as a testament to the enduring spirit of hospitality, tradition, and the audacity of the remarkable Grace O'Malley.