FILM MADE ABOUT THE JOURNEY OF SPANISH ARMADA SURVIVOR
SILVER SCREEN CHARTS THE JOURNEY OF DE CUÉLLAR
Filming took place throughout last week in Sligo and Leitrim of a Spanish Armada short film which highlights the adventures of one Spanish Armada survivor – Captain Francisco de Cuéllar.
Following King Philip II of Spain’s failed naval invasion of England, the Spanish Armada – a fleet of 130 ships – was forced to flee northwards, around the coasts of Scotland and Ireland, aiming to return to Spain.
However, terrifying winter storms threw some of the ships off course, and three of them, La Lavia, Santa Maria de Visión and La Juliana were wrecked on Streedagh Beach in Sligo. More than 1,000 men died.
From the wreckage rose a small number of survivors, among them Captain Francisco de Cuéllar. Aided and put upon in equal measure by the native Irish, he lived to tell the tale of his adventures in his memoir written in 1589.
He reached safety, having spent seven months trekking through various parts of Ireland while trying to escape. The film was produced to highlight this incredible story.
With funding from the Town & Village Renewal Fund and the support of Sligo County Council, Dublin-based company Mediacoop produced the film, supported by Sligo-based production company Omedia, as well as a host of local actors, production staff and technicians.
Filmed over four days, locations included Streedagh Beach, Staad Abbey, Glencar, Rossclogher, Castletown and elsewhere, locations which are mentioned in de Cuéllar’s writings. Additional scenes were filmed at Hazelwood and Parke’s Castle – with the kind permission of Coillte and the OPW.
With the location work now complete, the film will next enter the post production phase, where scenes will be edited, and additional graphical and CGI (computer generated imagery) will be added.
Chair of Spanish Armada Ireland, Eddie O’Gorman, the group that commissioned the film, is delighted with how the production is coming along.
“The film shoot last week was wonderful, it was a delight for all of us associated with the Armada to see the story receive such a professional treatment.
“The cast and crew had huge challenges to face – not least from the weather – and I’d like to thank them all personally for doing such a professional job in challenging circumstances.”
It is expected that film will launch in late April or early May. The finished film will be screened at the Spanish Armada Visitor Centre in Grange, Co. Sligo, as well as online.