A History of the Spanish Armada in Ireland

The Spanish Armada was a fleet numbering one hundred and thirty ships that set sail from Lisbon in August 1588, with the mission of invading England. The fleet sailed up the English Channel in a crescent formation, with the troop transports in the centre. At Calais they were met by an English fleet, under the cover of darkness the English set fireships alight, using the tide to carry them into the massed Spanish fleet, causing massive confusion. On 29 July, the two fleets met in battle of Gravelines, the English proving victorious. The Spanish fleet headed for home but the English blocked the Channel, so the only route available was north around the tip of Scotland and down the west coast of Ireland. Violent storms battered the beleaguered ships. The fleet became scattered, around twenty were lost along the Irish coast, a number of ships in varying states of distress made landfall. However, they received a most unfriendly welcome, they faced belligerent forces who administered immediate slaughter.The order went out from Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam for the apprehension and execution of all Spaniards; the use of torture was sanctioned in pursuit of the survivors, and those aiding them were to be charged as traitors. Some were promised pardon if they surrendered but were summarily executed. Less than 100 sailors survived and remained in the country; a very small few of these returned to Spain later when their release was secured by a special envoy from Phillip (some accounts estimate this figure to be as low as eight).