Night of the Armada

In the rugged heart of Ireland’s west coast, where sea and sky collide, a battle unfolds not just for survival—but for the soul of a people.

Night of the Armada sweeps readers into the tumultuous world of 16th-century Ireland, where the wreckage of Spain’s greatest naval fleet brings hope and terror to the shores of Doona. Against the backdrop of Grace O’Malley’s fierce defiance of English rule and the looming threat of Lord Bingham’s forces, the fates of the Irish villagers and the stranded Spanish survivors become intertwined in a desperate fight for freedom.

Ronan McManamon, a young man on the cusp of manhood, must navigate not only the dangers of war, but also his growing feelings for Mary McBride, the girl who has always been there—until her quiet strength stirs something deeper within him. His sister Marie, once resigned to a life of illness and isolation, finds her heart unexpectedly awakened by Rodrigo, a Spanish sailor cast upon Ireland’s unforgiving shores. But as Bingham’s noose tightens, Marie and Ronan must each face heart-wrenching choices, testing the bounds of loyalty, sacrifice, and love.

With deep roots in the land and history of Ireland’s western shores, author D.P. Conway draws from personal heritage to craft a vivid, emotionally charged historical drama. The ancient ruins, rolling mountains, and windswept coasts of Clew Bay come alive as characters struggle against fate, forging their destinies in a land torn by war.

In Night of the Armada, history, romance, and adventure intertwine in a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and the eternal pull of home. For readers of historical fiction who love richly drawn landscapes, powerful characters, and a deep sense of place, this is a story of how the land remembers—how the sea both gives and takes—and how love, against all odds, endures.

Night of the Armada is Book 1 in the Dear Ireland Series