Grace O'Malley, 16th Century Irish Pirate
performed by Karen Vuranch

Gráinne Ní Mháille (c. 1530 -c.1603), also known as Granuaile or Gráinne Mhaol, known in English as Grace O'Malley, is an important figure in Irish legend but was in fact a larger-than-life figure from 16th century Irish history. O'Malley is sometimes known as "The Sea Queen Of Connemara".

Irish legend abounds with stories of Grace O'Malley, a pirate queen who sailed the high seas in the 16th century .  Even more compelling, the colorful stories of her life can be documented in fact.  Not only did she fight against the conquest of Ireland by its powerful neighbor, England; she commanded an army of men and remained a leading political figure in a time when women had no personal power.  Her political power is demonstrated by her historic, and highly successful, meeting with Queen Elizabeth I.  Clearly, Grace O'Malley was significant not only for the colorful legends she engendered, but as an Irish leader during the Renaissance.

Storyteller, actress, and writer Karen Vuranch is known for her traditional storytelling, plays based on oral history, and living history presentations of famous American women. She brings history to life through her unique performance style, which combines storytelling and drama to create an engaging presentation.

Karen is known nationally for her work, and has toured extensively through West Virginia and the United States. She has also five completed performance tours of Wales and England including a performance at the Dylan Thomas Festival in Swansea, Wales, with her acclaimed performance of Coal Camp Memories. In 1994, Karen and Gene performed at the Ellipse Theatre at the White House. Storyteller, actress, and writer Karen Vuranch is known for her traditional storytelling and plays based on oral history, such as Homefront, a play about women in America during WWII. In her living history presentations of famous American women, Karen brings to life novelist Pearl S. Buck, labor activist Mother Jones, humanitarian Clara Barton, Indian captive Mary Draper Ingles, Civil War soldier and spy Emma Edmunds, Irish pirate Grace O'Malley and Wild West outlaw Belle Starr.

Her work has been honored by several organizations over the years. Recently, she was the Oak Hill Quota Club's honoree at their annual roast. In 2005, she received the Robert C. Byrd Community Service Award from the Corridor L Tourism Commission. The West Virginia Storytelling Guild honored her in 2004 with their Robert McWhorter Achievement Award. Tamarack, the state arts center, gave her the Performing Artist of the Year Award in 2003. She received the Spirit of West Virginia Award by the West Virginia Tourism Commission for her work performing West Virginia history in 1996. In 1990, she received the Celebrate Women Award from the Women's Commission of the West Virginia Legislature. Recently, Karen was given the 2000 Performing Artist of the Year Award by Tamarack, the West Virginia State Artisan Center. Karen studied theater at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio and at the University College Galway in Galway, Ireland.

She has an M.A. in Humanities from West Virginia Graduate College and teaches Introduction to Theater and Speech for the Concord University Campus in Beckley. Through her interest in the humanities and belief in the importance of communities, Karen has built a reputation gathering oral history interviews and turning those true life experiences into performances. She feels it is important to preserve the personal and family stories of a community. She conducts residencies with elementary through high school students, teaching them to interview their family members and, in turn, tell their family stories. Recently she received a letter from a woman in West Virginia who took part in a group session Karen conducted when she was gathering oral history for a new play. The woman wrote, "Thank you for your workshop. I never thought before that my life was important. Now, I know that I am part of my country's history." Karen Vuranch is available for performances, workshops and residencies. She performs regularly for conferences, banquets, schools and arts events.