Join Gráinne Bear and her friends on her trail of Granuaile, Ireland's own Pirate Queen.
Step into a world where history and magic entwine...
In The Discovery, the first tale in The Adventures of Gráinne Bear series, a hidden bear clan is rescued from pirates by none other than Ireland’s legendary Pirate Queen — Grace O’Malley — during a daring 16th-century battle on the wild waters of Clew Bay.
Through the voice of Gráinne Bear herself, children are invited to hear the stories passed down through generations — from high-seas adventures to secret castles, enchanted toadstools, and how the bears came to call Newport, County Mayo their home.
With 48 beautifully illustrated pages, this enchanting children’s book brings together real Irish history and magical fiction in a story that’s as heartwarming as it is adventurous.
Perfect for curious minds, big imaginations, and anyone who believes that magic is always just a pawstep away.
Meet the Clan
Gráinne Bear
Gráinne Bear is elegant, wise, and fiercely proud of her bear heritage. Always dressed in her beautiful homemade outfits and never seen without her trusty blue umbrella, she is a descendant of the brave bears rescued by the Pirate Queen Granuaile.
Gráinne Bear loves sharing her magical family stories and teaches that it’s nice to be nice.
Mr Higgins
Mr. Dermot Higgins is a kind-hearted but skeptical grandfather living in Newport. A longtime gardener at Princess Grace Park, he thought he knew every corner of it—until he met Gráinne Bear and Oisín Óg! His world turned upside down, but deep down, he now believes there’s a little magic hidden in every day.
The Great Bear Rescue Story
How the bears ended up making Mayo their home!
Long ago, during a ferocious sea battle in Clew Bay, the fearless Pirate Queen Granuaile captured a mysterious ship that had drifted into her waters. Hidden below deck, she discovered a group of bears, trapped in cages, destined for a life of hardship far away across the seas.
Moved by their plight, Granuaile bravely rescued the bears and secretly brought them back to her own castle. She promised to protect them, and in time, they became part of her clan. The bears worked alongside Granuaile’s crew, using their sewing and crafting skills to repay her kindness, all the while living hidden from human eyes.
To give them greater freedom and safety, Granuaile later brought them to a secret island in Clew Bay, none other than Bear Island — known only to the bears and a trusted few — which became their magical home for many happy years.
Bear Island
Bear Island although it wasn’t their birthplace — it became their safe haven.
Nestled among the many islands of Clew Bay, Bear Island was a place of freedom, friendship, and laughter. The rescued bears lived there, hidden away from the human world, helping Granuaile when she needed them and enjoying the beauty of Ireland’s wild west coast.
Although the island eventually slipped beneath the waves over the centuries, the descendants of those brave bears still live in Newport today, keeping the spirit of Bear Island and Granuaile’s kindness alive in their hearts.
Shhhh!
Here's some secrets of Bear Island...
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It was home to a grand castle, once empty, now filled with laughter, sewing needles, and the scent of wild Irish berries.
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The castle kitchen was so large that little bears had to climb ladders just to reach the pots!
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One day, Uncle Marco fell right into a jelly pudding — it took a week of bear licking to clean the stickiness from his fur!
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The bears used buckets as thimbles and ran up and down the long tables sewing and stitching to make clothes for Granuaile’s warriors.
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On 11th February 1564, the bears landed in Westport — a day now known as Bear Rescue Day, celebrated every year with cake and honey.
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The clan created their own coat of arms and a motto which hung above the castle fireplace — a promise of loyalty to their beloved Granuaile.
Although Bear Island was eventually lost beneath the sea, its stories were passed down through the generations... and are now lovingly told by Gráinne Bear.
Bernie Gaughan has always known that teddy bears have stories to tell—if only you listen closely enough.
With over 200 bears in her private collection (each with a secret or two tucked inside their paws), Bernie has turned her lifelong passion into a world of magical adventures.
Her inspiration first sparked while working at the Granuaile Centre in Louisburgh, County Mayo. Surrounded by the legends of the great Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley, Bernie began to imagine a hidden history—one where bears and buccaneers sailed side by side across Clew Bay.
Now based in the wild and beautiful West of Ireland, Bernie writes and illustrates from a land where misty hills meet the roaring sea, a place perfectly suited to dreaming up new tales. Her second book is already in the making, with many more bear adventures waiting just over the horizon.
As a child, Bernie lived in the worlds of Enid Blyton and Beatrix Potter, where every turn of a page led to secret gardens, talking animals, and daring discoveries. She believes that the gift of imagination is the finest treasure anyone can carry—and she hopes every young reader will find a little bit of magic hidden in her stories.
Among Bernie’s most treasured possessions is a small bear she stitched together with her mum when she was fifteen years old—a reminder that sometimes, the greatest adventures begin with a single loving thread.
About the Author
Bear Manners
🧵 Always be kind.
🛡️ Protect your friends.
🐾 Help mend what's broken.
🎩 Dress with care and pride.
🧸 Believe in magic, even when others forget.
