‘Cannon in Sea’ performers invited to Spain following inspiring Streedagh show
THE 430 th anniversary of the wrecking of three ships in Streedagh will be remembered for a variety of reasons, not least among them the performance under canvas of Cannon in Sea, held at Streedagh itself.
Grange and Armada Development Association, now known as Spanish Armada Ireland can be rightly proud of their efforts for 2018.
From the sounds of wind whistling around the marquee, (supplied by the North Sligo Agricultural Show) to the subtle soundtrack of whispering Spanish prayers, slapping sails and creaking ropes, attendees were immersed in the story from the very beginning.
The narrative, inspired by the recovery of nine bronze cannon from Streedagh in 2015, revealed that the Armada, and in particular the Streedagh ships, had connections across a wide European diaspora, stretching from the Spanish Netherlands, to the Ottoman Empire, and from Genoa to Sicily, both of which were under Spanish rule in 1588, the year the Armada sailed for England.
Embedded in the script was film footage of the three cannon featured in the script, shot by the Irish Underwater Archaeol- ogy Unit ( UAU), National Monuments Service, Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, just before the guns were recovered and brought to the surface after 427 years.
A Grange choral group sang in Latin and Gaelic, while a seriously proficient line up of local and international musicians -including Sligo based Ray Coen and Felip Carbonell further developed the theme of diversity by delivering music and songs composed for the show as well as from Spain, Turkey, Ireland and 16 th century Genoa, with verve and authenticity.
The show encored to a rousing version of Mary and the Soldier, nothing to do with the Ar-mada, but more a clever nod to the Napoleonic Courtyard, venue for the event and built at Streedagh over two hundred years later. Directly after, the audience dined on the finest of Spanish paella, prepared in an adjoining marquee by Eithna’s by the Sea Restaurant, Mullaghmore, followed by mouthwatering seaweed truffles.
Prannie Rhatigan said: “As I left Streedagh with a yellow moon hanging over Benbulben, I was frankly amazed at the vast historic web of connections the Armada made for the area over 430 years ago, many of which are coming to light only now, as the legacy unfolds. And how this legacy is in good hands, entrusted to storytellers, scriptwriters, musicians and singers; people who are both custodians and ambassadors in the one stroke. In that 75 minutes, I absorbed more of the story of the Armada Invincible, its complexities, history, tragedy and humanity than I ever would have through reading a history book.
“The performance has been invited to Madrid and others venues in Spain, where those involved will undoubtedly deliver a swathe of Irish culture to Spanish audiences. Congratulations to the GADA committee for their vision in commissioning and producing the piece, and for supporting culture while promoting the history of the area. When the curtain rises on Cannon in Sea in Madrid, Spain, you will have had the incredible honour of bringing the story home.
“If you get the chance to see a performance don’t miss it: Cannon in Sea, written and directed by Catherine Rhatigan and performed by The Canon In C international ensemble of storytellers and musicians.”