We started the Finding Grace project back in 2022 and quickly identified 13 people whose genealogies recorded their likely descent from Dermot O'Malley (born about 1400), the 2x great grandfather of Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen (1530-1604). We divided these people into 3 distinct branches (Lines 1, 2 & 3), based on the genealogies that we had for them, and then set about testing them, initially with the Y-DNA37 test and then upgrading them to the Big Y test if their initial results indicated that they belonged to Group 3a of the project (the Mayo O'Malleys).
There were quite a few surprises within the results:
Line 2 (the Kilmilkin O'Malley's, whose genealogies show descent from "Seán na Firinne" O'Malley) formed their own distinct genetic group (Group 3g, characterised by the DNA marker FTC36168) which was completely separate from Group 3a. This suggested that either their recorded genealogy was incorrect or that there was some sort of DNA switch on their direct-male-line since 1400 AD. The supposed descent of "Seán na Firinne" from Grace O’Malley’s uncle was popularised by Dr Austin O’Malley of Philadelphia, whose research into O’Malley genealogy has come into question, so perhaps it is not too surprising to find such an error in his account.
Line 1 represents descendants of Edmond O’Malley, last Chieftain of Cahernamart, whose father Owen became Chieftain in 1586, and was himself a descendant of Grace's putative brother Melaghlin. This line consists of both the Ross House O'Malley's and a line of O'Malley's from Achill. Their common ancestor is recorded as Teige O'Malley (born c.1665), but the Y-DNA results did not support this connection. In fact, the results indicated that the common ancestor between the Ross House O'Malley's and the Achill O'Malley's passed on the DNA marker FT86146 and lived about 1264 AD (and not 1665). In addition, the Ross House O'Malley's carried the DNA marker FTC67000 ... and this linked them to Line 3 ... but not in the way we expected. More on this below.
This line would have included the O’Malleys of Hawthorn Lodge and of Philadelphia, but unfortunately their direct-male-lines have gone extinct. One of the members of this family was Sir Owen O'Malley who was an avid O'Malley genealogist and many of his papers are in the National Library of Ireland and the National University of Ireland, Galway. If we can find an envelope with a stamp on it amongst his papers, we may be able to get his DNA from it. This is an option for some time in the future as the technology evolves and improves.
Line 3 is the Ballyburke O'Malley's, descendants of Owen of Burrishoole (born c.1650), who in turn is a descendant of Dermot (born c.1400), the 2x great grandfather of Grace O'Malley. The two people in Line 3 shared the DNA marker FTC67000 in common with the Ross House O'Malley's. And indeed we were expecting such a connection because their common ancestor according to the genealogies was Dermot (born c.1400), the 2x great grandfather of Grace O'Malley. However, the age estimate for this branch came back as 1670 AD, almost 300 years later than the estimated birth year of Dermot 1400. So it appears that the Ross House & Ballyburke O'Malley's share a common ancestor a lot more recently than 1400 AD. And the current age estimate for their shared DNA marker (FTC67000) is much more in keeping with Owen of Burrishoole (born c.1650) than with Dermot 1400. So what's going on? Is one of the genealogies incorrect? And if so, which one?
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| The three recorded lines of descent from Dermot O'Malley c.1400 with the superimposed DNA tree showing it does not fit |
- the genealogy for the Ballyburke O'Malley's is correct and that there is an error in the genealogy of the Ross House O'Malley's.
- both lines go back to Owen of Burrishoole 1650 (and from there back to Dermot 1400).
- the DNA marker FTA85293 may have been passed on by Dermot 1400, or by one of his immediate ancestors or descendants.
Following on from point 3 above, people on the FTA85293 branch appear to be the most closely related to the royal line / chieftain line of Grace O'Malley (1530-1604). These include the Michigan O'Malley's, the Mealue family, and an O'Malley from Kilgeever (near Louisburgh, Mayo). In the diagram at the end of this article, you can see where the above results fit into the broader "genetic family tree" for Group 3a.
In parallel, we continue to search for "extensive lineages" to test in the hope that this might throw some additional light on the current situation.
One such endeavour involves a French family which has a recorded pedigree that goes back to a Gilbert Mallet / Malley in the late 1500s. We have identified several direct-male-lines to test and have attempted contact with several French individuals but as yet we have not received any productive replies. In addition, as commercial DNA testing is technically illegal in France, we will have to find a creative way of getting hold of their DNA (possibly via Belgium's postal service) or get legal advice. One article reports that "a research participant can provide a genetic sample for scientists to answer a specific question". So this may be our escape clause.
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| The Family Tree of Gilbert Mallet / Malley c1585-c1650 - was he a cousin of Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen? - will a direct-male-line descendant agree to test? |
Another avenue of enquiry involved the Hazelrock O'Malley's (now living in Connecticut), who are reported to be another set of descendants of Owen of Burrishoole. One member of the family recently did the Y-DNA37 test, which indicated that he belonged to Group 3a. He was then upgraded to the Big Y test, but the results (which came back after the recent Gathering) indicated that he does not sit on the FTC67000 branch with the Ross House & Ballyburke O'Malley's, but rather on a separate distinct branch characterised by the DNA marker FTA88222. One other person sits on this branch, and their common ancestor lived about 1479 AD. Immediately above their branch is the BY35760 branch, and this indicates that the common ancestor that they share with almost everyone else in Group 3a lived about 1080 AD.
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| The O'Malley's of Hazelrock & "King" O'Malley of Australia |
However, thanks to some sterling research carried out by Brian O'Malley, and documented in his book "How James Became King: The True Story of James 'King' O'Malley", one member of this particular family appears to be "King" O'Malley, the famous / infamous Australian politician. And thus these results will apply to this particularly famous O'Malley individual. You can learn more about this fascinating story in this podcast here.
We are also working to help various branches of Mayo O’Malleys to compile family trees and combine them with DNA testing in order to flesh out the overall picture. It may well be that we find further connections to the key genetic markers we have identified so far. It remains clear that the more people who take a test and join our project, the greater our chances of homing on Grace’s genetic history.
So that's where we are with the Finding Grace project in August 2025.
The search for informative data continues.
