'The Downfall of the Spanish Armada in Ireland' -K.D.

'The Downfall of the Spanish Armada in Ireland' -Ken Douglas.

The English navy inflicted a narrow defeat on the Spanish Armada, but it was the Irish coast that encompassed its downfall.

 

The course set for the retreating Armada would have given it a safety margin of 300 miles. But in the Atlantic they encountered continuous southerly winds and unknown ocean currents; they became separated and lost. Scattered groups descended on Ireland, arriving at seventeen different locations from Donegal to Kerry. Many found shelter, but a few were lost by accidental grounding.

 

On 21 September 1588 fourteen ships were destroyed by hurricane force winds. In all 24 ships were lost in Ireland and about 5.000 men died, far more than in the battles with the English fleet. The English navy inflicted a narrow defeat on the Armada, but it was the Irish coast that encompassed its downfall.

 

Fuente:

- "The Downfall of the Spanish Armada in Ireland".