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The Pirate Queen of Mayo
County Mayo is the birthplace of Michael's grandfather. He drives to Achill Island to follow the life of Grainuaile (Grace O Malley - The Pirate Queen). From there it's on to Westport House, a gorgeous mansion built on the site of the Pirate Queen's former castle. The trail leads across the wild coast of Achill to discuss peat-harvesting on this boggy isle, tales of maritime legends, and to hear the slow airs of Joanie Madden. Michael stops at the North Mayo Genealogy Center at Enniscoe outside the town of Ballina to learn about his ancestry, and sings a song that was popular in Ireland during the time his great grandfather lived in Mayo.
