Spanish Armada Wrecks in Ireland

Remains of the 1588 Spanish Armada wrecked on the Irish coast. Storms drove dozens of Armada ships onto the western and northern coasts of Ireland as the fleet attempted to return to Spain via Scotland and the Atlantic.

1 wreck35–40m depth range1 region

Santa Maria de la Rosa

1588

Technical40mKerry, Ireland

Only one person survived: a boy named Giovanni. The Santa Maria de la Rosa, Vice Flagship of the Guipuzcoan squadron of the 1588 Spanish Armada, entered Blasket Sound already battered from earlier engagements, seeking shelter behind Great Blasket Island. She lost her anchor and struck Stromboli Reef, sinking instantly. The wreck was rediscovered on 4 July 1968 by Sydney Wignall and Colin Martin -- making it the first Armada wreck to receive proper scientific investigation and the site of the first large-scale swimline search in the British Isles. Archaeological remains at 35-40 metres on flat shingle include a mound of ballast stones with parts of the lower hull and main mast step. A pewter plate inscribed "matute" helped identify two crew brothers. Protected archaeological site; permission required. Strong tidal currents in Blasket Sound make this a challenging technical dive.