I think Grace liked this location because you would have to know the tidal patterns or else get run aground and stuck or trapped at low tide if an adversary tried to get to it by sea. Grace would know when it was safe to pass, leaving to go out to the ocean, and when it was safe to come back by water. It doesn't show it here, but there are a lot of mounds in the bay that show up at low tide. There is also the story that she had the rope line from her boat run up through one if those tiny windows and tied to her bed post. So, if the rope became taut and shook the bed she would know the tide was up. I think the ground leading inland and around Mayo was soggy, so it wouldn't be easy to try and approach this modest (to say the least) castle by land militarily. She had environmental protection by land and sea IMHO. I also suspect she had a lookout on nearby Crough Patrick to let her know when larger vessels were in what she considered the territorial waters of the O'Malley clan and, therefore, subject to passage duty fees to the clan, and/or capture. She was an extraordinary sailor and leader regardless of her gender. She could have spent more time at other castles in the O'Malley bailiwick, but I think Rockfleet was her safest haven from Burke and the British troops, and the Spanish fleets.
One of my favourite places and lovely to see this as I am now housebound. Thank you!
Your very welcome.
I think Grace liked this location because you would have to know the tidal patterns or else get run aground and stuck or trapped at low tide if an adversary tried to get to it by sea. Grace would know when it was safe to pass, leaving to go out to the ocean, and when it was safe to come back by water. It doesn't show it here, but there are a lot of mounds in the bay that show up at low tide. There is also the story that she had the rope line from her boat run up through one if those tiny windows and tied to her bed post. So, if the rope became taut and shook the bed she would know the tide was up. I think the ground leading inland and around Mayo was soggy, so it wouldn't be easy to try and approach this modest (to say the least) castle by land militarily. She had environmental protection by land and sea IMHO. I also suspect she had a lookout on nearby Crough Patrick to let her know when larger vessels were in what she considered the territorial waters of the O'Malley clan and, therefore, subject to passage duty fees to the clan, and/or capture. She was an extraordinary sailor and leader regardless of her gender. She could have spent more time at other castles in the O'Malley bailiwick, but I think Rockfleet was her safest haven from Burke and the British troops, and the Spanish fleets.
Thanks for your comment, she was a mighty woman.