Umhaill

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Umhaill
8th century–1576
Coat of arms
Map of Umaill (dark green) within County Mayo.
Status	Túatha of Connacht (until 1235)
Common languages	Middle Irish, Early Modern Irish, Latin
Religion	Catholic Christianity Gaelic tradition
Government	Tanistry
Rí
• -773	Flannabhra
• 1580–1603	Grace O'Malley
History
• Established	8th century
• Disestablished	1576
ISO 3166 code	IE
Preceded by Succeeded by Partraige Mac William Íochtar Kingdom of Ireland
Today part of	Ireland

Umhaill or Umhall (anglicized as Owill^[1] or Owel) was a Gaelic territory around Clew Bay in the west of what is now County Mayo, Ireland, comprising the baronies of Burrishoole (Lower Owel) and Murrisk (Upper Owel).^[2] By the 12th century, its ruling dynasty were known as the Uí Máille (O'Malleys). Originally an autonomous part of the kingdom of Connacht, it later became one of the vassal territories of the Mac William Íochtar. Umhaill's last and most famous ruler was Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille), nicknamed "the pirate queen". In 1576, during the Tudor conquest of Ireland, she agreed to the surrender and regrant policy, accepting English inheritance law in return for official title deeds to her lands. On her death the lands were inherited by her son Tibbot "na Long". Umhaill had a strong seafaring culture.^[2] Important sites associated with it include Carrickkildavnet Castle, Carrickahowley Castle, Granuaile's Castle and Clare Island Abbey.