Maritime Archaeologist Auriel Robinson will deliver a public lecture at IT Sligo next Thursday April 26th about fascinating maritime archaeological discoveries in Sligo, such as the Spanish Armada shipwrecks at Streedagh Strand.
Sea farers have been coming to Sligo for thousands of years and Sligo Harbour has played an extremely important role in providing access to and shelter for ships. In the 16th century, it was known as the ‘best haven in all the countries’. The herring fishing industry brought prosperity to the town and herrings were traded for wine. However, navigating into Sligo port was not easy, with poor charts, treacherous unmarked sand banks, hazardous rocks, reefs and strong Atlantic winds hammering vessels and throwing men overboard.
Evidence for Maritime Archaeology existing in Sligo Harbour and Bay is vast, although may not seem today, immediately apparent, according to Ms Robinson. Her presentation will provide an overview of the research and survey work that has been done to date within the harbour and in the bay and will also discuss the reasons for the wreckings of a number of historic Spanish Armada ships off the north and west coast of Ireland and at Streedagh Strand.
This lecture is an introduction to a longer, more detailed presentation which will take place during the Celtic Fringe Festival at an International Symposium on the Spanish Armada, on June 23rd and 24th in Grange, Co. Sligo.
The lecture is free and open to members of the public to attend. It will take place in Room A0005 in IT Sligo’s Main Building from 1.10pm to 1.50pm on Thursday, April 26th.