The small museum in Louisburgh, housed in an old Anglican church, tells the story of Grace O' Malley's childhood on Clew Bay, as well as her remarkable metamorphosis from a widow with three children and no land or income into the pirate queen.
After her husband Donal's death, she returned to Clew Bay to trade with southern Europe, and occasionally and apparently with great relish, raid the merchant ships coming from Spain and Portugal to Galway. The museum has some terrific dioramas and models, including one of Grace in doublet and hose, with a sword hanging from her belt. No one knows exactly what she looked like, but clearly she had no trouble finding admirers, even when she was wearing men's clothing.