Foxford group to visit Argentina for Brown anniversary

A group from Foxford will travel to Argentina next year to mark the 250th anniversary of Admiral William Brown's birth, with a programme of commemorations and cultural experiences planned to celebrate the historic links between the two countries.

The Admiral Brown Society is working with Paul Claffey Tours and JWT Travel to organise the trip in March 2027, giving travellers an opportunity to explore Argentina's history and culture and learn more about Foxford-born Admiral Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy.

Chairperson of the Society, Margaret Reilly, said the group has been working with Ireland's Ambassador to Argentina, Olive Hempenstall, to develop a special programme for the visit.

The trip will also offer some an opportunity to return to Argentina. In 2007, a delegation from Foxford travelled to South America for the official twinning of Adrogué in Buenos Aires Province with Mayo.

“Everyone who went on the trip last time said it was the experience of a lifetime,” Margaret said.

This latest trip will offer an opportunity to explore Argentina's culture and history, visiting places where Admiral Brown lived and fought his naval battles.

“One of the day trips is to Uruguay, and that’s going across the River Plate (Río de la Plata), where Admiral Brown had many of his battles. That is significant, and the Ambassador felt that would be a really important thing for people to experience,” Margret said.

The itinerary will also offer a range of optional excursions, including a visit to Colonia del Sacramento, a trip to El Ombú de Areco farm, an evening at the opera, tango lessons and the opportunity to attend a football match at La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires. Brown's first house is located near the stadium in the La Boca neighbourhood.

A particularly significant part of the trip will be a Mass held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.

“Fr Joseph Gavigan is coming with us, he went in 2007 and said Mass in the Basilica in Luján. The Ambassador is organising for that to happen this time again, that will be really powerful,” Margaret said.

Fr Gavigan will also bring a statue from Knock Basilica to Lujan to mark the recent 40th anniversary.

The group has been invited to the Municipality of Admiral Brown in Adrogué for a civic reception, celebrating the longstanding relationship between Mayo and the Argentine municipality.​ 

“We have been working to develop a special programme with the Argentinians to bring the best of cultural experiences and historical connections together. That is what will last in people's memories, and that's what people talk about from the last visit,” Margaret said.

She said the welcome extended to Irish visitors in Argentina had made a lasting impression on those who travelled there 20 years ago.

“They are amazed at the welcome they get in Argentina. The Argentinians loved to hear an Irish voice, and they love their cultural and diaspora connection with Ireland,” she said.

Admiral Brown is known in Argentina as Padre de la Patria en el Mar (Father of the Nation at Sea). He holds an important place in the country's history alongside Manuel Belgrano, creator of the Argentine flag, who is known as Padre de la Patria (Father of the Nation).

Margaret said the upcoming anniversary trip reflects the work of those who had maintained the relationship between Foxford and Argentina over many years.

“It's the legacy and the strength of what JJ O’Hara put in place and the connections he made with all the different organisations in Argentina, and his brother Gus also,” she said. “The culture, communication and work between groups on both sides of the Atlantic is very powerful, and there is a great respect there too. 

“We have so much history between us, and we have managed to keep that and nurture that over the years.” 

For Margaret, the trip is an opportunity to celebrate not only Admiral Brown's legacy, but also the friendship that has developed between the two countries.

“We are really lucky, when you look at the world and how fractured it is, here we are able to work and celebrate friendship and culture,” she said. “Those who went to Argentina were moved by the sense of support for Irish people and the story of Brown.

“The commemorations are at the heart of the trip, but we have been able to develop a really special programme bringing the cultural experience and the historical connection together.” 

“The spirit of the tour is the spirit of friendship, joy and a sharing of music, dance, culture and we are really looking forward to that.” 

The trip is open to people from across Ireland, members of the Mayo diaspora around the world and anyone with an interest in Argentina's history and culture.

For more information, visit JWT Travel for the full itinerary and to book your place on the special trip.