In addition to its geological significance, the Causeway Coast contains a notable archaeological site representing a significant period in European history.
On 26 October 1588 the Girona, a galleass of the Spanish Armanda, sank off Lacada Point, close to the Giant’s Causeway, only three months after sailing from La Coruxa as part of the most elaborate invasion force ever conceived.
The Armada had been thwarted by the English fleet in the Channel and a great many ships where forced to sail round the north of Scotland and west of Ireland to return home. The Girona had been forced ashore in South Donegal where she took on the crews of at least two other ships which had foundered on the Irish Coast. When she sank, only five of the 1,000 men aboard survived.
The discovery of the Girona in 1967 by Robert Stenuit was one of the most important nautical archaeological finds of modern times. The items salvaged from the site of the wreck included cannons, cannon balls, coins, priceless jewellery, navigational equipment and set of portrait cameos.
The Girona treasure was purchased for the nation in 1972 and is now held in the permanent collection of the Ulster Museum, Belfast. The extent of the find has been of great historic significance.
The wrecking of the Girona is remembered in the name of the bay close to where she sank, Port na Spaniagh.
In addition to its geological significance, the Causeway Coast contains a notable archaeological site representing a significant period in European history.
On 26 October 1588 the Girona, a galleass of the Spanish Armanda, sank off Lacada Point, close to the Giant’s Causeway, only three months after sailing from La Coruxa as part of the most elaborate invasion force ever conceived.
The Armada had been thwarted by the English fleet in the Channel and a great many ships where forced to sail round the north of Scotland and west of Ireland to return home. The Girona had been forced ashore in South Donegal where she took on the crews of at least two other ships which had foundered on the Irish Coast. When she sank, only five of the 1,000 men aboard survived.
The discovery of the Girona in 1967 by Robert Stenuit was one of the most important nautical archaeological finds of modern times. The items salvaged from the site of the wreck included cannons, cannon balls, coins, priceless jewellery, navigational equipment and set of portrait cameos.
The Girona treasure was purchased for the nation in 1972 and is now held in the permanent collection of the Ulster Museum, Belfast. The extent of the find has been of great historic significance.
The wrecking of the Girona is remembered in the name of the bay close to where she sank, Port na Spaniagh.