Muirghein Hewitt's life began on a sunny spring day in County Cork Ireland where she was booking passage on a ship.

Until that day she had been Muirghein Harris, the wife of an old boring English merchant her father had married her off to when he realized that, left to her own devices, she would never choose a husband or at least, not one that would bring any profit his way. Muirghein couldn't believe her father would do that to her, that is, not until the wedding day when no amount of pleading or threatening could get her out of it. So, she married the old merchant, consoling herself in the fact that the man had a few redeeming qualities; he was rich and, being a merchant, he would go away on extended business trips quite often.

Its during one of those trips that Muirghein decided to run away. She packed a few changes of clothes, her jewelry, as much coin as she could get from her husband's safe and a pair of matched daggers and made her way to the docks to book passage on any ship that would take her far away from Cork.

It was a busy day at the port, but not busy enough for a richly dressed lady apparently traveling alone to go unnoticed by someone looking for easy gain. The First mate of the Roisin Dubh spotted her and immediatly thought "MONEY". He discreetly inquired about the route the ship she had booked passage on would be taking and promptly informed his captain. Seeing possible profit from looting the ship and ransoming the woman, Captain Jonathan Rankin O'Rose decided to follow the passenger ship, at a safe distance of course.

When both ships were far enough at sea, the "pirates" boarded the passenger ship, looted it and kidnapped Muirghein. Once they had her securely onboard the Roisin Dubh, the Captain discovered a glitch in his plan; there was no way Muirghein would let herself be ransomed, she would rather die than go back. After a long discussion with the Captain it was decided that she could stay as long as she made herself useful and, as he needed payment for his trouble she "agreed" to "give" him her money and jewelry. The daggers were of course confiscated as they were a safety risk. That day Muirghein Harris became Muirghein Hewitt.

A year later on her saining day, the crew having decided she had proved herself worthy of their trust, Captain O'Rose gave her back one of her daggers. Once last formality: the oath to Ship, crew and Captain, and Muirghein (though the first mate still affectionately calls her Morgana) was finally a true member of the crew of the Roisin Dubh.