in ireland oared vessels were employed extensively for warfare and piracy by the o'malleys and the o'flathertys, western lords whose base was in connacht. english officials found it necessary to counter them with similar vessels. the most famous of these local rulers was gráinne ní mháille, of whom sir richard bingham reported in 1591 that she had twenty vessels at her command. she, like her father, was engaged in extensive seaborne trade.