Rockfleet Castle is actually a tower house in County Mayo in Ireland. It’s also known as Carraigahowley, which means “rock of the fleet.” It was built around 1550 and is located on Clew Bay and is associated with Gráinne O’Malley, the “pirate queen” and chieftain of the Clan O’Malley although a woman. It’s speculated that she died here.

Gráinne was quite a character in Irish history, literature, and legend. James Joyce and other writers have written about her. Music and plays have been produced about her. An interesting factoid about her is that apparently she was formally educated since the story goes that she spoke in Latin with Queen Elizabeth I in 1593. According to legend and history, the meeting between the two of them was very interesting, with a bit of tension because Queen Elizabeth I would not recognize the strong-willed Gráinne as “Queen of Ireland.”

I’ve always wanted to paint Rockfleet Castle since visiting a couple of times and because of course, I am named for her. I do wish my family had retained the accent on the "á" though, because without it, on occasion people have pronounced the name as Granny. LOL

I am ready for all the rock banter so bring it on! But I would also like some commentary and feedback to help me finish it. As you can see, it is unfinished in certain sections, like the foliage, and perhaps overdone in others. I don’t know whether to put more texture on the castle, or whether that would interfere with the sense of distance., with more detail on the tower bringing it too far forward. The sky might be too strong or busy? Start over?

What would you do?

15x22 Arches 140lb CP