K. R. Flanangan

Located by the waters of Clew Bay in County Mayo, on Ireland’s beautiful west coast, Rockfleet Castle, also known as Carrickahowley Castle, is a place steeped in history and the enduring legend of one of Ireland’s most remarkable women: Grace O’Malley, the famous Pirate Queen.

I was fortunate enough to see the castle in person during one of my trips to Ireland and was inspired to take the time to paint this remarkable structure.  Grace O’Malley, or Gráinne Ní Mháille as she is known in Irish, was a remarkable sixteenth-century seafarer and leader who commanded the waters off the western coast of Ireland. At a time when women were rarely permitted to wield such power, she commanded ships, controlled territory, and negotiated with powerful political figures, including Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Rockfleet Castle holds a special significance for me because Gráinne features prominently in Books Two and Three of my Fae Prince of Fir Manach series.  I really enjoy writing historical events and figures into my books. Real history gives me a foundation in which to explore the fantasy world of my imagination.  I included Grace O’Malley in the series because I was drawn to her strength and sense of adventure.  By painting her fortress, I wanted to explore her rich history in yet another way.  I hope my painting brings a little bit of this remarkable place to life.

I had a wonderful time meeting fans and signing books at Talbots in the Fair Oaks Mall last Friday.  It was so rewarding to hear that people are enjoying the series and motiving to hear how eager they are to read Book 3. Thank you so much to the lovely ladies at Talbots, especially Nancy and Doreen, for putting on such a wonderful event and for making me feel so welcome!

Edmund sits outside my office window and keeps me company

Have you googled images of “writer’s office”?  Go ahead. I dare you…

What did you think?

If you’re anything like me, you were probably shocked.  Shocked that anyone could function in such a mess.  I was also relieved that I’m not the only one whose office looks like a book bomb exploded in it.

I have been stuck on a scene that has been difficult to write.  How I tend to deal with writer’s block is by putting it all aside and doing something different.  My family can tell you that one of my greatest avoidance techniques is rearranging my office.  I do it at least twice a year and, thankfully, they just roll their eyes and help me move my furniture.

Funny thing is, by the time I’m done, my scene has resolved itself in my mind.  I’m off and writing again in a “new,” and probably temporarily, clean office.

One of the things I love about writing historical fiction it that I can take any part of history and twist it around to fit my stories.  

I first stumbled across tales of Ireland’s own Pirate Queen, Gráinne (or Granuaile) Ní Mháille when I was researching prominent families near Fir Manach.  I was looking for Clans that might have had contact with the Mag Uidhirs or who had an influence on the political situation during the mid 1500’s.  Gráinne’s life was so fascinating that I knew she would have to be a part of my story.

Born in 1530, on the West Coast of Ireland to a prominent seafaring Clan Chief, Gráinne learned to love the sea at a young age.  She was married by the age of 16 and, after having three children, found herself a widow by the age of 30.  Gráinne returned to her father’s land on Clare Island and took over his fleet of ships and his army of around 200 men.   It did not take long for her to establish a reputation as a sea power and political force to be reckoned with.

Gráinne lived a long life, full of love and hate, life and death, risk and compromise. Although women in 16th Century Ireland held much more power and responsibility than their English counterparts of the same time period, she was still a woman in a man’s world.  She managed to not only hold her own, she thrived.

My challenge has come in taking 73 amazing years of life and cramming them into my 20 year timeline.  Which brings me back to why I love writing fiction.  I took the events I wanted, changed some of the context and motivations and condensed them into my timeline.  I am continuing to weave them into the final book in the Fæ Prince of Fir Manach Series.  Historians may think they know why Sir Richard Bingham had it out for Gráinne and wanted to bring Ireland under English rule, but they might want to think again…

I wanted to thank the wonderful staff and students for the warm welcome I received today at All Saints Catholic School.  The enthusiasm and excitement was infectious and made my job easy!  I had a great time answering their questions and sharing my writing experiences.  I wish them the best of luck in Battle of the Books!

Welcome to the K. R. Flanagan official web site, home of the Fae Prince of Fir Manach book series.