Kirsten Sheridan to make film about 'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley

Kirsten Sheridan has announced the production of a film about iconic Irish figure Gráinne Mhaol, 'The Pirate Queen,' also known as Grace O'Malley.

As reported by Variety, Sheridan has optioned Anne Chambers' renowned 1979 book, Grace O’Malley — The Biography of Ireland’s Pirate Queen. Sheridan and Chambers have been working on the project for several years.

The feature will follow the true story of a meeting between Queen Elizabeth I and courageous Irish pirate Grace O'Malley.

O'Malley sailed up the Thames to confront the Queen after her youngest son and her half-brother were taken prisoners by the Crown. After a week-long confrontation, both women ended up winning each other's respect, and O'Malley's petitions were granted.

"This is a deeply personal passion project," said Sheridan. "Every Irish woman knows Grace O’Malley’s story. It is one of power, resilience, and rebellion."

"She defied gender norms, controlled her own destiny, and stood toe-to-toe with the most powerful woman in history," added Sheridan. "Grace was the ultimate punk Pagan ‘savage’ who came from a tribe of warriors, but also of filí, a powerful caste of poets and diviners."

Production is aimed to begin in 2026. The film will receive funding from Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and will be produced by Dublin's Wild Atlantic Pictures in collaboration with LA-based Reclaim Entertainment Ventures.

In 2004 Sheridan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for In America, a film she co-wrote with her father – critically acclaimed filmmaker Jim Sheridan – and with her sister Naomi.

Some of her recent credits include writing two episodes for the hit series Say Nothing (which won several IFTAs a few days ago), and executively producing the series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.