Armada Festival – stories of lost ships and Dracula connections
WHY did three Spanish Armada ships sink at Streedagh in 1588? The reasons – or at least one of them – will be explored in detail during the upcoming lecture series at Remembering the Armada, in Grange this weekend.
There are several reasons that three ships ran aground on Streedagh Beach on September 21, 1588. One theory was that the ships got caught up in a torrential storm known as The Great Gale. Another was that they were likely to have been damaged during the naval battle against the English the previous month.
Perhaps the main, and previously unexplored reason, was the absence of reliable maps that the Spanish could use to navigate their way back to Spain following the defeat against the naval forces of Queen Elizabeth I.
This topic will be among the items for debate and discussion on Saturday next, September 17, at the Spanish Armada Visitor Centre (formerly the Courthouse) in Grange. ‘The Manuscript Maps of Early Modern Ireland’ is the title of a lecture to be given by Dr Annaleigh Margey of Dundalk Institute of Technology in which she will describe how the absence of accurate maps was a key reason why up to 26 Armada ships foundered off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the deaths of approximately 5,000 Spanish Armada soldiers and sailors. At Streedagh alone, it was estimated by Armada survivor Francisco de Cuéllar that up to 1,100 people died in what was the greatest single loss of life on these shores. In addition, the history of another Streedagh shipwreck, The Greyhound of Whitby, known locally as the Butterboat, will be discussed. Originally thought to have been an Armada vessel, carbon dating has proved otherwise. The origins of this ship, and its tragic end at Streedagh, will also be described by George Gale, who has travelled from the English coastal town of Whitby to Sligo for the lecture. Another connection between Whitby and Sligo will be described in that Bram Stoker, author of the infamous novel Dracula (whose mother was from Sligo), also had connections with Whitby. It was while he was on holiday at Whitby in 1890 that Stoker witnesses another tragic shipwreck, and soon afterwards he began to write his seminal masterpiece Dracula. Remembering the Armada will feature a host of interesting events that range from music to walks to concerts, céilí and much more besides as it makes its return as an in-person festival this weekend. Mallorcan-born guitarist and singer Felip Carbonnel will be joined by a host of excellent musicians as he traces the history of Spanish music from the 16th century to the present day. Dartry
Céilí Band members will treat the audience to a rousing Céilí, and several other events will also feature during the weekend, providing a diverse range of content for one and all. These include an Armada 8km road race, a discussion on the discovery of a medieval logboat, a climate change event at Streedagh beach and a walk along the De Cuéllar trail.
Each evening once the official events will conclude, locals and visitors alike will head to Moran’s and Lang’s bars in the village to draw that day’s events to a close.
The central event will be the remembrance parade itself which will take place between Streedagh beach and the Armada monument on Saturday next at 3pm.
Members of the public are invited to take part in this walk, which honours the memory of all of those unfortunate souls who died on the Armada wrecks in 1588.
Those in attendance will be joined by
Ildefonso Castro, Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, and many other Spanish and Irish people who will come together to commemorate the countries’ shared heritage.
“As always, we would like to thank our patrons, sponsors and volunteers, who have helped over the past decade and more to organise this weekend of events,” said Eddie O’Gorman, chairperson of Spanish Armada Ireland. “After a two year hiatus due to Covid, we look forward to extending a ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to our visitors from Spain, and to the many Spanish people living here in Ireland that attend annually.
“Many local people will be involved at all of the events too, as we seek to give this unique piece of Spanish and Irish history the public attention it deserves.” Remembering the Armada takes place from September 16 to September 18.
Tickets can be purchased at www.spanisharmadaireland.com.