The Grange and Armada Development Association founded the Armada Centre. They offer tours, events and the popular Spanish Armada Festival in September.
The people of Streedagh, Grange and North Sligo have, over the years, marked the story of this maritime disaster on our shoreline in many ways. The 400th Anniversary in 1988 saw the launch of the booklet still in use today “The Spanish Armada 1588- The Journey of Francisco De Cuellar- Sligo to the Causeway Coast”.
Grange and Armada Development Association organised a very successful series of events throughout that year including Music and Dance events, a pop up Museum, A Symposium, visits by Spanish Dignitaries and interests, Walks etc. Of particular importance was the development of The De Cuellar Trail through the North West to the Causeway Coast.
The re-constituted Grange and Armada Development Association along with the Celtic Fringe Festival have ambitious plans to develop a tourist offering based on the Armada and De Cuellar stories. We hope to enlist Spanish Associations and Interests in furthering these plans.
Learn about the events of 1588, walk the De Cuéllar Trail and see the wreck site at Streedagh Strand! Explore the famous letter of De Cuéllar and learn the story. Come and visit us to learn more and see how the 1588 Spanish Armada made influence on the 16th century Ireland!
The history
Ever since the tragic loss of three great ships of the Spanish Armada and over 1,100 men; soldiers and sailors, noblemen and commoners; on the beach at Streedagh on that fateful day, 21st September 1588, the people of North Sligo have commemorated in folk memory the plight of all those poor lost fellow souls.
Despite the risk of persecution from the forces of Queen Elizabeth the first of England some Irish chieftains like O’Rourke of Briefne and McClancy of Dartry offered sanctuary to the few survivors that struggled ashore. The real heroes were, perhaps, the ordinary peasant people who, for no other reason than empathy for those in distress, gave shelter, food, and succour to strangers from a foreign land.
The people of Streedagh, Grange and North Sligo have, over the years, marked the story of this maritime disaster on our shoreline in many ways. The 400th Anniversary in 1988 saw the launch of the booklet still in use today “The Spanish Armada 1588- The Journey of Francisco De Cuellar- Sligo to the Causeway Coast”
Grange and Armada Development Association organised a very successful series of events throughout that year including Music and Dance events, a pop up Museum, A Symposium, visits by Spanish Dignitaries and interests, Walks etc. Of particular importance was the development of The De Cuellar Trail through the North West to the Causeway Coast.
The re-constituted Grange and Armada Development Association along with the Celtic Fringe Festival have ambitious plans to develop a tourist offering based on the Armada and De Cuellar stories. We hope to enlist Spanish Associations and Interests in furthering these plans.
What you will experience
You will experience a deeper insight into this tumultuous period in European history and gain a better understanding of the magnitude of what happened in 1588 in this area.
You will see many interesting pieces telling the story of the Spanish Armada and find out more about how you can explore nearby Streedagh Beach for example.
More info…
- Admission fees: Free Admission
- Open: Seasonal – contact directly for info
- Suitable for younger children: Yes
- Indoor facilities: Yes
- Dining/refreshments: Good options in Grange village
- Guide dogs: Permitted.
- Groups: Groups are welcome with prior booking.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible.
- Parking: Ample parking available in Grange village
About Grange
Grange is a village located right on the Wild Atlantic Way and is famous for being a historic site in connection with the Spanish Armada of 1588. After the aborted attempt for invasion of England, Spanish war ships were shipwrecked on nearby Streedagh Strand and over 1500 Spanish sailors lost their lives.
This is commemorated every year with the ‘Remembering The Armada’ festival. The village is home to the Armada Visitor Centre and is always a hit with kids thanks to Five Star Fun – one of the great indoor play centres in the county and ideal for a rainy day. Recently Mona McSharry achieved fame by winning an Olympic bronze medal in swimming.
In Irish, Grange is called An Ghráinseach, meaning ‘monastic farm.
Location
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