The dramatic 16th century escape of a Spanish Armada captain is to feature in a new film about the swashbuckling adventure.
Captain Francisco de Cuéllar was one of the few Spanish sailors to survive when three ships of the Spanish Armada foundered off the coast of Sligo. His dramatic escape to Derry, on to Scotland and eventually home has been told in Armada 1588: Shipwreck and Survival.
Produced by Sligo community group, Spanish Armada Ireland, the film’s virtual release – due to the Covid-19 pandemic – casts further light on the era of the Armada, the Nine Years’ War and dashing Donegal chieftain, Red Hugh O’Donnell.
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A search for O’Donnell’s remains is continuing this week in Spain.
Archaeologists in the Spanish city of Valladolid, are still inching towards the burial site of the legendary Donegal leader who fought the Nine Years War (1593-1603) along with his father-in-law Hugh O’Neill against the British.
Spanish Armada Ireland chairman, Eddie O’Gorman said the new film was based on the words of its hero, de Cuéllar. The Spanish leader was under threat of death as he breached Armada formation before his ship wrecked at Streedagh Beach, near Grange in Co Sligo.
Up to 1,000 of his countrymen were slain by British-backed forces. However, de Cuéllar managed to avoid capture. During the following seven months, he faced robbery, assault and humiliation before coming under the protection of Gaelic chieftains, O’Rourke and MacClancy.
Mr O’Gorman said: “De Cuéllar was essentially forced to roam the countryside naked, having been robbed of his clothes, before being found by O’Rourke of Breffni and MacClancy of Rosscloghar.”
The Spanish officer eventually made his way to Derry where the bishop, Redmond Gallagher secured safe passage for de Cuéllar and 12 of his countrymen to Scotland. From there, he escaped to Spanish territories – despite a further shipwreck on the way – where he wrote an account of his adventures.
“The letter was essentially the first draft of his defence back to the King of Spain in his court martial and the film is based on that,” Mr O’Gorman said.
De Cuéllar went on to enjoy a distinguished military career in the service of his country. “Armada 1588: Shipwreck and Survival” is a docudrama featuring both Spanish and Sligo actors.
Launched last weekend, it is available to download at Spanish Armada Ireland (€4.99) from www.spanisharmadaireland.com. The story of the making of the film will feature on RTE television’s Nationwide programme, tonight, Friday.
