Remembering the Armada, a four day commemorative festival, will take place in Sligo next weekend September 19th-22nd 2024.
The centrepiece event is a commemorative parade between Streedagh Beach and the Armada monument that overlooks the beach. Led by the Spanish Naval Band from the OPV Carnota, this walk will follow the steps taken by the few survivors of the Spanish Armada at Streedagh on September 21st 1588, when three Armada ships sank and over 1,100 men were lost. A specially commissioned art installation will be prepared from early morning at the beach and a new monument by local artist Martha Quinn will be unveiled by members of the Spanish Navy in memory of those who died.
Elsewhere, a one day Spanish Armada Conference will take place at the Southern Hotel in Sligo on Friday September 20th. Organised by the National Monuments Service, this will feature expert historians and divers who have explored the Streedagh wrecks and will relay the latest information about their discoveries.
Other notable events include a Spanish guitar recital, the Armada-themed Tide & Ties art exhibition being hosted at the Hamilton Gallery, reenactments of 16th century life by Tercio Irlanda, and a boat trip to Parke’s Castle on Lough Gill, which in the 16th century was owned by Brian O’Rourke, one of the local chieftains who helped the Armada survivors.
The weekend’s events are organised by Spanish Armada Ireland, a local voluntary group who are running this event for the fourteenth time this year.
“It is the most extensive programme of events organised by the group and coincides with a surge in interest in Armada heritage and history both here in Ireland and in Spain,” says Eddie O’Gorman, Chair of Spanish Armada Ireland. “We have nineteen events that range from the historical to the cultural. We will have experts and writers in attendance, and there is plenty for the first time visitor to enjoy too. The Armada story has fascinated us here in Sligo for many years and we hope to share some of this knowledge with our many visitors next weekend.”
The events will begin with an official welcome of the crew of the Spanish naval vessel OPV Carnota at Killybegs Harbour on Thursday 19th September. From there the programme will move to Sligo, Grange and at Streedagh, encompassing a varied series of intercultural events. On Sunday 22nd, the theme moved from the historical to the environmental, sporting and artistic, with a series of climate change events taking place at Streedagh Beach. Other events that day include a writer’s workshop, 8km walk and run, free yoga class and Armadascapes exhibition. The events will highlight Sligo’s natural beauty as well as our rich cultural heritage.
The events of Remembering the Armada 2024 are supported by Fáilte Ireland and Sligo County Council through the Regional Festival and Events Fund. Many of the events are free to the public, and information on all of these as well as the ticketed events can be found at www.SpanishArmadaIreland.com/festival.
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