King of Spain will honour Grange community group
KING Philip VI of Spain has decreed that a group from Sligo is to be awarded a prestigious honour in recognition of their work reconnecting Sligo’s links with the Spanish Armada.
The Award will be presented by the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency José María Rodríguez- Coso, to the Grange & Armada Development Association ( GADA) at a civic ceremony at Sligo City Hall this Friday August 25th.
The Plate of the Order of Isabel La Católica is the highest Spanish civil order granted in recognition of individuals or organizations that have provided services to Spain in various ways, including “in fostering relationships of friendship and cooperation between the Spanish nation and the rest of the international community.”
“This is the first time that the Award has been granted to a group in Ireland, and is in recognition of the work which has been done over several years by the members of GADA to revive the memory of the Spanish Armada and its strong links with Sligo,” said Ambassador Rodríguez- Coso.
“It further strengthens the cultural and historical bonds we have with each other and we fully appreciate how Sligo has engaged with its Spanish Armada history in such a respectful way.”
The inaugural Spanish Armada International Conference will take place in Sligo from September 22- 24th.
“The Armada Conference is another step in establishing Sligo as the primary home of the Armada history in Ireland,” says Eddie O’Gorman, Chairperson of GADA.
“We have unique ties with the Armada story, from Captain De Cuéllar’s first hand account of the shipwrecks, to the retrieval of the cannon by State agencies working hand in hand with local organizations like GADA and the Sligo sub aqua group. Our ultimate goal is to have the cannon returned to Sligo to be displayed publicly. This would bring the Armada story to life in a very tangible way with enormous historical and commercial consequences for the region.”
The upcoming Spanish Armada International Conference: A Gathering Storm at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo will provide a platform for Armada enthusiasts as well as those with an interest in local history.
Speakers at the conference will include internationally renowned Spanish Armada experts. Many fringe events will take place throughout the weekend as part of the annual Celtic Fringe Festival.