Famous Spanish Armada Shipwreck collection on the move to new museum
May 7, 2025 | In the PressFrom Donegal Live (https://www.donegallive.ie/news/inishowen-md/1795981/famous-spanish-armada-shipwreck-collection-on-the-move-to-new-museum.html (opens in a new window))
A collection of precious artefacts recovered from the Spanish Armada Shipwreck off Inishowen more than fifty years ago is on the move to a permanent new home.
The ancient items salvaged from the 'La Trinidad Valencera' ship are being relocated from Derry’s Tower Museum, as National Museums NI commences restoration work, before they make the transition to the new DNA (Derry-Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum in Ebrington Square.
La Trinidad Valencera sank off Kinnego Bay near Moville in 1588 and the wreck lay there for almost four centuries until it was finally discovered by members of the City of Derry Sub Aqua club on February 20, 1971.
Among the divers to locate the mighty vessel was Moville priest Fr Michael Keaveney.
The ‘Armada Shipwreck - La Trinidad Valencera’ exhibition has been a central focus of the Tower Museum’s visitor experience, bringing to life the 16th-century story of conflict between England and Spain, and the drama and tragedy that unfolded as over 20 Spanish ships foundered off the Donegal coast.
The collection has been on loan to the Tower Museum from National Museums NI since 2004 and is recognised to be of international importance across the world.
The Inishowen collection will soon become an integral part of the new DNA Museum on the other side of the River Foyle in Derry.
Once restored, the Armada pieces will remain in storage until they can be rehoused in the new museum, which is due to open at Ebrington in early 2027.
Among the artefacts are a gun carriage wheel and bronze siege gun, a cannon and other weaponry, textiles and items recovered from the wreck site at Kinnego Bay just yards from the popular beach. The museum collection also documents the remarkable story of the 1971 diving expedition, which uncovered the treasure trove of artefacts.
The DNA Museum, once completed, will also include a dedicated archive discovery zone, access to genealogy advice, a temporary exhibition space, multi-purpose learning and events space, café, retail and external interpretation space.
The galleries there will be dedicated to telling the story of the wider North West area.
Anyone who would like to access the Armada exhibition digitally while awaiting its new iteration in DNA can do so online, along with associated collections and archives, by visiting www.towermuseumcollections.com
