Famous People of Achill, Co Mayo, Ireland
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Grace O'Malley
Grace O' Malley, or Granuaile, was born in Clare Island around 1530, the daughter of the chieftain of the barony of Murrisk. The O' Malley's were a powerful sea-faring family, who traded widely and refused to submit to English rule. Grace became a fearless leader and gained fame as a sea captain and pirate. In 1593, Grace met with Queen Elizabeth I and after discussions, Grace was allowed to continue her exploits in Connaught. Grace died around 1603, and was buried in the O' Malley family tomb on Clare Island.
James Lynchehaun
James Lynchehaun was born in Polranny, Achill Sound around 1858. Lynchehaun is the main character of James Carney's book 'The Playboy and the Yellow Lady' and the inspiration for J. M. Synge's play 'The Playboy of the Western World'. Lynchehaun was a known trickster, but his fame arose from his association with local landowner Mrs. Agnes McDonnell. He was appointed land agent for Mrs. McDonnell, however after some disputes Lynchehaun was discharged. In 1894, Lynchehaun allegedly set fire to Mrs. McDonnell's house in the Valley. The house was burned to the ground and the lady was seriously injured. In a subsequent trial, Lynchehaun was found guilty and sent to prison, but escaped to America. In 1903 he was arrested in America but efforts to extradite him failed and he later returned to England. Lynchehaun died in Scotland in 1937.
Captain Charles Boycott
Captain Charles Boycott first came to Achill around 1857. He leased land at Keem Bay and built a house there, however he moved to Corrymore House when his residence at Keem was burned down. Boycott is alleged to have been a cruel landlord and his departure to Ballinrobe in 1877 was not regretted by local people. It was in Ballinrobe that Boycott encountered Michael Davitt and the Land League. His name was added to the English language (boycott - to shun) when local tenants refused to work for him, in protest at his harsh and cruel tactics.
Eva O'Flaherty
Born into a wealthy Galway family in the late 19th century, Eva O'Flaherty trained as a milliner and practised her craft in Paris and London before deciding to relocate to Achill Island. In 1910 she was a founder member of Scoil Acla, a summer school set up to promote Irish music, language and culture. A couple of years later she established the St. Colman's knitting industry in the village of Dooagh, an enterprise which she maintained until her death in 1963 and which, at its height, employed about 30 women and produced knitted high fashion garments which were sold in upscale department stores in Dublin and exported worldwide.
Bibliography / Further Reading:
Achill
by Kenneth McNally (1973, David & Charles, Devon)
Achill Island - Archaeology, History, Folklore
by Theresa McDonald (1997, IAS Publications, Ireland)
(Reprinted in 2006)
Forthcoming (summer 2012): Achill's Eva O'Flaherty: Forgotten Island Heroine
by Mary J Murphy (ISBN 978 - 0 - 9560749 - 1 - 1)
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