Mayo celebrates lasting friendship with Argentina

Culture, friendship, and a shared history between Mayo and Argentina were celebrated in Foxford on Saturday, June 20, as people gathered to mark the 249th anniversary of the birth of Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy.

Visitors travelled from across Ireland and Argentina for the occasion, including Ana Laura Cachaza, Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, and Olive Hempenstall, Ambassador Designate to Argentina.

As well as honouring one of Foxford’s most renowned figures, the event marked the beginning of the countdown to what organisers hope will be a landmark 250th anniversary celebration next year.

The day began at Craggagh Cemetery where flowers were laid in memory of former Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, Laura Bernal, who died in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following that, a Mass was celebrated in St Michael’s Church before the Foxford Brass and Reed Band led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Admiral Brown Monument on Chapel Road. This year also marks the band's 130th anniversary.

Behind the scenes, months of preparation by the Admiral Brown Society helped bring the event to life.

Chairperson Margaret Reilly said the annual celebration has continued to grow in popularity, and now feels like a St Patrick’s Day for Argentinians living in Ireland.

“Fr Padraig [Costello} looked down at the packed Church and joked that it looked more like he was going to an Argentina game than saying Mass for a congregation,” she remarked.

At the wreath-laying, the crowd broke into songs sung by Argentinians during the World Cup. Margaret described it as a deeply moving moment, with cultural pride felt by everyone present.

Adding to the day's significance, this year's event coincided with Argentina's Flag Day, Día de la Bandera, celebrated annually on June 20 in honour of Manuel Belgrano, the creator of the Argentine flag.

“He is known as the father of the country, and Brown is known as the Father of the Seas. They are the two big heroes in Argentina,” Margaret explained.

Festivities continued in the Admiral Brown Hall, which was decorated in Argentina’s blue and white.

The 350-strong crowd enjoyed traditional food, wine, music and dance, while items from the Admiral Brown Society’s growing collection, including artefacts, photographs and monuments, were on display.

Argentinians from Galway, Dublin, Kilkenny and Sligo made the journey to Foxford, joining a community that continues to grow.

It is understood that around 5,000 Argentinians are living in Ireland, while Argentina is home to an estimated 500,000 Irish descendants, making it the largest Irish diaspora in a non-English-speaking country.

“There was such a brilliant atmosphere, it was incredible and great fun,” Margaret said, adding that the day was a celebration of Argentinian culture, Irish culture and the enduring relationship between Foxford and Argentina.

A symbol of that relationship can be found in the heart of the town. In 1957, on the 200th anniversary of Brown's birth, the Argentine Navy presented the bust of Admiral Brown that now stands along Chapel Road, a lasting reminder of the ties between the two communities.

Now, the Admiral Brown Society is getting ready for the 250th anniversary celebrations next year, with big plans already in the pipeline.

“There are discussions ongoing with the Argentine embassies and the Navy to get the Libertad, the Argentine training ship, over to Dublin and to Mayo,” Margaret said. “The plan is that we will go to Argentina in March 2027. I don’t know how we will do it, but like Monsignor Horan said, ‘They said it couldn’t be done but’ - We will make it happen,” she added.

A group from Foxford travelled to the country in 2007 when Mayo formally twinned with Adrogue in Buenos Aires.

Twenty years later, Margaret said the dream is to mark the milestone celebration with another unforgettable journey.

She explained that the Society is also hoping to secure a dedicated Cultural and Heritage Centre to house the extensive Admiral Brown Collection and create a hub for research, music, exhibitions, cultural exchange and learning.

Over the years, the Society has built a significant archive of artefacts, and curator Caroline Wilkinson is working to preserve the collection for future generations.

The proposed centre would ensure that Admiral Brown’s story remains accessible for many years to come.

Another exciting project the Society is looking forward to is Liam the Musical, a new production set to launch in Buenos Aires next year, celebrating the life and achievements of Admiral Brown.

A documentary, Brown Between Two Seas, is also in development and is expected to be released in 2027. The film will trace Brown's remarkable journey from his childhood in Foxford to his rise as the founder of the Argentine Navy.

The Society said it is looking forward to working with Ambassador Designate Hempenstall on the exciting plans ahead.

Members also wished Ms Hempenstall every success as she prepares to take up her role as Ireland's Ambassador to Argentina in July 2026.

Beyond the ceremonies and commemorations, Margaret said Saturday’s event highlighted the lasting friendship that has grown between Foxford and Argentina over generations.

“The big thing is friendship. In a world that’s broken and fractured, here we are celebrating friendship between two nations,” she said. “History unites us. Culture unites us. Music unites us. And sport unites us,” she added.

It was particularly fitting that Saturday's celebrations coincided with Mayo's victory over Meath, securing a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Just as Foxford proudly gets behind its Mayo footballers, the town has also developed a long-standing tradition of supporting Argentina on the world stage.

When Lionel Messi's side defeated France in a penalty shootout to win the 2022 World Cup, residents gathered in The Moy Hotel to watch the match and celebrate the victory together.

Margaret said she hopes this year will bring another reason to celebrate.

Once again, the town has been decorated in blue and white, with Argentinian flags lining Main Street and flying outside Guiry's Pub, visible reminders of the enduring bond between the Mayo town and the South American nation.

“Whether through Gaelic games, football, music, dance or culture, we are reminded that friendship knows no borders,” she said.