The White Seahorse

by Eleanor Fairburn

From the rugged west coast of Ireland to the power-crazed court of Elizabeth I, Graunya O'Malley sails her fleet and commands her men - with fierce determination. Inspired by the 16th century figure of 'Granuaile', The White Seahorse is a fiery tale of beauty, high drama, and historical conflict.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Pirates

280 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1970

About the author

AKA Catherine Carfax and Emma Gayle.

'Eleanor Fairburn was born in the west of Ireland. She was educated at St Louis Convent and studied Art in Dublin. After a period of time spent near the Welsh Marches, reading Welsh literature and meeting Welsh people, she settled in Yorkshire, where she lives with her husband, Brian, and her daughter, Anne.'

Reviews

[Gary Brecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixteenth century Ireland is the time frame of this epic tale of the legendary pirate queen Granuaile (Grace O’Malley). It is a time of great turmoil as Tudor England attempts to tame and conquer the wild clans that bicker and raid their neighbors. Ten-year-old Grace follows her father, chief of the O’Malley clan, to the summit of a cliff overlooking the sea. She comments that she can smell and sense a storm approaching. Her father realizes his daughter, unlike her older brothers, has inherited the Chief’s ability to forecast the weather long before it arrives. Grace tells him of her desire to travel with him and his fleet to Spain, where they will exchange goods to benefit their families. The father tells her no, flippantly suggesting her long hair is not meant for sea travel. In the next scene her mother is distraught that Grace has cut her own hair, down to the scalp! Her brothers enter and call her “Granuaile,” which translates as “naked Grace.” And so, begins the story of a woman who eventually rules the sea in southwestern Ireland.

Author Eleanor Fairburn (Nom de Plume) thoroughly researched the facts and lore concerning this legendary Irish figure and has fashioned a fascinating work of fiction which has been used in Ireland’s schools as a history book. If you choose to read it, be prepared to encounter the names of numerous clans. You will also meet the English invaders who wish to pacify Ireland’s willful natives as well as eventually exploit the country’s resources. Some interesting bits of Tudor history also are revealed.
The scale of this novel is epic; consequently, the author has chosen to make sudden shifts in time, skipping details that she deems unimportant to Granuaile’s story. But don’t be surprised if, as you read this, you hear in the background, the plaintive, melodious notes of an Irish lament.

[Jane Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!

Excellent storyline. Exciting, yet heartbreaking. Filled with honest history. "Civilized" nations inhumanity to others deemed uncivilized. An enthralling, worthwhile read!

[Ginger Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dnf

[Maria Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granuya is a tale that gripped me from start to finish. This incredible woman who was deemed a pirate was not what I expected her to be. The story tugged me along at a fast pace leaving me impatient to get back to finish it. As an Irish woman I found the whole historical setting interesting, it explained, to me, why we behaved as we did, better than any factual account of history could.
I saw her as a complete person, warts and all, though she didn't have any. I admired her strength and courage but most of all I envied her clear sighted manner of approaching any dilemma or problem.

The authors, knowledge, perception and descriptive powers have me searching for another book written by Eleanor Fairburn.