Artefacts of 500-year-old Spanish Armada ship recovered off Sligo coast
A number of important historical artefacts have been recovered from the wrecks of a Spanish Armada off the coast of Co Sligo.
The latest recoveries include six bronze cannons, one gun carriage wheel and a ship’s cauldron which have been displayed today on twitter by Fadó Archaeology.
Recovery efforts are currently focused around the wreck of a ship called the La Juliana, which was built in 1570.
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The ship , along with the La Lavia and Santa Maria de Vison - were wrecked at Streedagh on the 21st September 1588. More than 1,100 people died when the ships went down.
It is believed severe winter storms over the last two years are believed to have led to the recent discovery of relics from the Spanish Armada.
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A number of cannons from the merchant vessel La Juliana have been found in sands off Streedagh in Co Sligo since timbers from the exposed wreck began washing ashore in April.
Speaking about the latest artefacts recovered, Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys said: "The quality of material being recovered is remarkable and the gun carriage wheels, designed for siege warfare on land, paint a very clear picture of the scale and intent of the planned invasion of England by King Phillip II of Spain."
She also said that it would be up to two years before the items are ready for public display.
They are set to be transported to the National Museum of Ireland, where they will undergo a conservation process.
