The annual Spanish Armada Festival returns this September for the 14th consecutive year and will take place in Grange, Streedagh, Cliffoney and Sligo Town.
With numerous events taking place – covering arts, history, culture, music and the spoken word, Remembering the Armada is a great weekend event for all to enjoy this 14th-17th September 2023.
Three Spanish Armada ships sank at Streedagh beach in September 1588, and over the past 14 years, locals in Grange have welcomed Spanish visitors from far and wide to Sligo for the annual Armada commemoration.
This year’s event will run over 4 days from Thursday Sept 14 – Sunday Sept 17. Day one will feature a bus tour to Killybegs harbour to commemorate the 1588 Armada and will include a reception attended by officers and ratings from the visiting Oceanic Patrol Vessel Centinela.
The main event is the Remembrance Parade on the Saturday where people are invited to walk a trail from Streedagh to the Armada Monument to pay tribute to those lost in the tragedy. Over 1,100 men lost their lives at Streedagh during the shipwrecks, one of the greatest maritime tragedies to have taken place on the Irish coast.
Over the course of the weekend, numerous activities will take place both day and night. The Opening Concert will feature the renowned De Cuéllar Quartet, a musical ensemble that will play the music of the wonderful De Cuéllar Suite composed by Michael Rooney and accompanied by spoken word performances. For those who like to get out and about, there will be a Sligo City historical tour, and we’ll also bring you along sections of the De Cuéllar Trail. Budding artists are invited to two special art events; ‘Armadascapes’ and ‘Hold The Line’ at Streedagh. The ever popular Céilí and Armada Clubs will have you dancing late into the night.
In addition, there will be exhibitions at the Visitor Centre in Grange as well as re-enactments at various locations. On Sunday the 8k Fun Run/Walk will help you shake off the cobwebs and there will be a beach clean and a series of Climate lectures to finish off the event. For all event and ticket details, go to www.spanisharmadaireland.com/festival and check out social media for updates.
