Welcome to the Grace O'Malley Web Site

Author ANNE CHAMBERS welcomes fans to the official website of Ireland’s Pirate Queen - Grace O’Malley.

Fearless leader by land and by sea, political pragmatist and tactician, rebel, pirate and matriarch, the ’most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland’ GRACE O’MALLEY challenges and manipulates the turbulent politics of the 16th century.

Breaching boundaries of gender imbalance and bias, she re-wrote the rules to become one of the world’s first documented feminist trail-blazers.

In GRANUAILE - the original best-selling biography of this historic icon, from rare and exclusive contemporary manuscript material ANNE CHAMBERS draws Ireland’s great pirate queen in from the vagueness of myth and legend and presents the historical reality of one of the world’s most extraordinary female leaders.

 

Presentation to His Excellency the Italian Ambassador

 

Anne Chambers presenting a copy of her biography LA SHERIDAN: ADORABLE DIVA (1889-1958) to His Excellency the Italian Ambassador who attended the concert in memory of the Irish Diva, Margaret Burke Sheridan, in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
The book is available from Mayo Books Press

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
tel: 353 (0) 94 902 4422

★PUCCINI and Irish Diva – Margaret Burke Sheridan★


Taking a bow at the wonderful concert held in the The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection Hotel last night (26th of November) to honour Ireland's great Diva, Margaret Burke Sheridan - Siobhan Kilkelly, Sandra Oman, Paul Kelly, Anne Chambers and Deirdre Higgins. (photo: Brendan Holmes)

★Sell-out★ concert in the Shelbourne Hotel

★PUCCINI and Irish Diva – Margaret Burke Sheridan★


Looking forward to present the now ★sell-out★ concert in the Shelbourne Hotel on Tuesday night, 26th of November, in celebration of the Irish Diva, Margaret Burke Sheridan - Puccini's Favourite Butterfly - unique connection with the great composer with fellow artists Siobhan Kilkelly, Sandra Oman, Deirdre Higgins and Paul Kelly.

 

PUCCINI and Irish Diva – Margaret Burke Sheridan

A Memorial Celebration in Words and Music

In a year marking both The Shelbourne Hotel’s 200th anniversary and the centenary of legendary composer Puccini’s death, The Shelbourne hosts a special concert on Tuesday, 26 November, celebrating Ireland’s most famous opera singer, Margaret Burke Sheridan. The event will pay tribute to her remarkable career and her unique connection to both Puccini and The Shelbourne itself.

The concert, in The Shelbourne’s historic ballroom, will feature a stellar line-up, including sopranos Sandra Oman and Deirdre Higgins, tenor Paul Kelly and accompanist Siobhan Kilkelly. The evening will be narrated by acclaimed author Anne Chambers, biographer of Margaret Burke Sheridan, providing fascinating insights into the life and legacy of the singer known in Italy as “Puccini’s favourite butterfly.”

Concert-goers will also have the rare opportunity to view some of Margaret Burke Sheridan’s operatic memorabilia, including original programmes and the exquisite gowns she wore at La Scala and elsewhere, enhancing this intimate evening of music and history.

Margaret Burke Sheridan was one of the greatest interpreters of Puccini’s works, and a key figure on the international opera scene during the 1920s. Discovered by inventor Guglielmo Marconi in London, Sheridan’s talent captivated audiences in the grand opera houses of Italy, including La Scala, and was renowned for her performances as Mimi in La Bohème and the title role in Madama Butterfly — a role Puccini himself declared she embodied with “charismatic intensity and childlike appeal.”

Sheridan’s relationship with Puccini went beyond the stage. The famous composer personally selected her for the title role in his opera Manon Lescaut and gifted her a stunning gold and blue silk gown for her performance. Following the composer’s death in November 2024 she continued to perform his works in memorial concerts across Italy and at Covent Garden in London.

The Shelbourne Connection

In her later years, after retiring from the stage, Margaret Burke Sheridan made The Shelbourne her home. Known for her mischievous wit and captivating personality she held court in the historic Lord Mayor’s Lounge, delighting guests and fans with tales of her career. During her battle with breast cancer, she spent her final months in comfort at The Shelbourne, courtesy of a wealthy American admirer.

In tribute to her legacy, The Shelbourne is to name a suite in her honour, adorned with memorabilia, including personal correspondence, photographs, programmes, together with a selection of her gramophone recordings.

The evening concert on Tuesday, 26 November will not only be a celebration of the music and history of this great artiste but also a fundraiser for a worthy cause, with proceeds from the concert donated to Arc Cancer Support, an organisation dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families across Ireland.

Guests will enjoy beautiful music, fascinating stories and a glimpse into the life of a legend and support a vital cause.

A night to celebrate the life and artistry of Ireland’s greatest opera singer, in the hotel that was her final stage.

Tickets are available for €30, including a welcome glass of wine and nibbles before the concert.
For tickets and more information, see Eventbrite – The Shelbourne.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/margaret-burke-sheridan-a-celebration-in-words-and-music-at-the-shelbourne-tickets-1057978565369

Date: Tuesday, 26 November
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: The Ballroom, The Shelbourne Hotel
Tickets: €30 (includes a welcome glass of wine and nibbles)
Proceeds in aid of: Arc Cancer Support

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GRACE O’MALLEY

Fearless leader by land and by sea, political pragmatist and tactician, rebel, pirate and matriarch, the ’most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland’ GRACE O’MALLEY challenges and manipulates the turbulent politics of the 16th century

Grace O'Malley: The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen, 1530-1603 is the sole published biographical account of Grace O’Malley, sourced from original manuscript material, both in public and in private domain. For the latter, the author, Anne Chambers, had sole and exclusive access. Much of this material was located and decyphered in its original form (i.e.16th century manuscripts) by the author and is exclusive to her book. Furthermore, the presentation, opinions and analyses in the book are exclusive to the author. The author reserves all her rights in this book. No part of her book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or media, written or oral, or by means digital, electronic or mechanical, including photographic, film, video recording, photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system. Permission from the author and publisher must first be obtained to reproduce any part of or quotations from the book. Any transgression in this regard will be addressed. For more information, comments or enquiries please contact: Info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Copyright © 2024.

 

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