determined to bring down Grace O'Malley once and for all. On his deathbed, Dubhdara names Grace as his successor, despite the fact that she is a woman. As Dubdhara dies, Grace accepts her new role as Chieftain of the Clan O'Malley. Act 2 Amidst continued war with the English, Grania gives birth to a son, Eoin. Donal's cowardice in one crucial battle proves the breaking point for Grania. In the tradition of the Brehon Law, she dismisses him publicly, officially dissolving their marriage. Tiernan and Grania privately reflect on their feelings for each other and in the end kiss and reunite. Emasculated and shamed, Donal colludes with Lord Bingham, betraying the Clan O'Malley and Ireland itself. Clew Bay is invaded. Grania is arrested. In the melee, Tiernan kills Donal and escapes with Eoin. Seven years pass. Grania is jailed, and all of the other Irish Chieftains surrender their crowns to England. Tiernan, whose feelings for Grania have never changed, offers the English a trade - his freedom for Grania's. Elizabeth finds herself affected by this turn of events and she grants Tiernan's request. She reflects on her own life as a woman in power, as Grace, locked in prison, reflects on her life in shambles. They both conclude that it is a woman in love who has all. Grania is freed to care for her child, and Tiernan is imprisoned in her place. Reunited with her child, Grania's joy is tempered by the realisation of how Ireland has changed during her imprisonment. The country has grown desolate, her lands are ravaged, her people are hungry, and injustice reigns. Grania takes fate into her own hands and returns to England to confront Queen Elizabeth. Granted an audience, these two powerful women - one reigning queen and another without a crown - find themselves face to face, in a private conversation unheard by eager courtiers. The most unexpected truce is hammered out between them, freeing Clew Bay from the worst of English rule. Tiernan is granted his freedom and Lord Bingham falls into disgrace. Grania and Tiernan find themselves reunited at last. Unencumbered now by war and previous alliances, they can finally pledge themselves to each other and pray for extended peace in Ireland. CAST • Grace (Grania) O'Malley • Tiernan • Dubhdara • Evleen • Queen Elizabeth I • Sir Richard Bingham • Donal O'Flaherty • Chieften O'Flaherty • Majella • Chorus of barmaids, oarsmen, ladies-in-waiting, crew SCENES AND SETTINGS ACT I Scene 1: Clew Bay (Ireland) Scene 2: Aboard The Pirate Queen Scene 3: Aboard The Pirate Queen Scene 4: Queen Elizabeth's bedchamber Scene 5: Clew Bay Scene 6: The Shebeen at Rockfleet Scene 7: Clew Bay Scene 8: Clew Bay Scene 9: The Road to Clew Bay Scene 10: Clew Bay ACT II Scene 11: Aboard The Pirate Queen Scene 12: Clew Bay Scene 13: The Queen's Court Scene 14: The Cistercian Abbey in Clew Bay Scene 15: The Queen's Court Scene 16: A jail Scene 17: Aboard The Pirate Queen Scene 18: The Queen's Court- the Queen's Throne Room Scene 19: Finale
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