Foxford was alive with music fun and blue and white as the town hosted over 350 Argentenians that came to celebrate the occasion in Foxford on Saturday June 20th 2026. Blue and white and Irish flags adorned every corner of Foxford for the event
The day began with Remembrance for Laura Bernal former Argentine Ambassador to Ireland buried in Craggagh Graveyard Foxford.
Mass in St Michael’s Church Foxford was con celebrated by Fr Padraig Costello and Canon Andrea Wills and the church was packed with argentines wearing blue and white under the statue of Our lady Of Lujan
Bernadette Ruddy and Fiona Jones sang aside the Irish traditional group of Laoise and Criodhe Doherty
The Foxford Brass band (celebrating 130 years) led the group to the wreath laying ceremony at the Admiral Brown monument on Church road
Wreaths were laid by Cathaoirleach Mayo CoCo Sean Carey, Lieutenant Eoin Colgan on behalf of the Irish navy and HE Excellency Ana Laura Cachaza on behalf of the Argentine Embassy. Laurie Barrett and Eamonn Mangan led us in the last post
The Band then led the 350 or more Argentenian’s onto the Admiral Broen Promenade alongside the River Moy. More music filled the day and the large crown enjoyed speeches from Margaret Reilly Chairperson AB Society Foxford and HE Ana Laura Cachaza and Cathaoirleach Sean Carey
Minister Dara Calleary and Senator Mark Duffy attended alongside
Cllrs Cruise and Cllr Gerry Murray. Tom Gilligan Head of Tourism Mayo County Council also attended
Then it was onto the Admiral Brown Hall
The hall had on proud display the portrait of Brown which was newly restored by John Gallagher and took centre stage for the event
Where an official reception was held for everyone. Music was provided by Sean Healy and Breege Gleeson And the Hall was alive with laughter fun tango dance and food.
Bridie catered for all and the Argentine embassy brought empanadas wine and samosas for everyone to enjoy
O Haras bakery sponsored the event with delicious tray bakes and the famous O Haras loaves for sandwiches
Caroline Wilkinson archivist with the Admiral Brown Society had pieces from the Admiral Brown Collection on display and it was a fantastic day for everyone
A special cake was presented to the Foxford Brass and Reed Band to mark 130 anniversary,
David Beatty photographed and took drone footage from the day.He also presented framed photos of the Libertad in Killala Bay in 2022 to HE Ana Laura and ambassador designate to Argentina Olive Hempenstall. The Admiral Brown society also present a photo to Michael D McAndrew and Nollaig from Bessie’s Bar in memory of the visit of the Libertad to Killala bay in 1997
Tango dancers then took to the floor and there was singing and dancing for the afternoon.
Juanjo Marco and Liam Phelan were in attendance and are producers of a musical Liam about Admiral Browns life to be launched in Buenos Aires next spring
Sean Flynn Shitterfever Photography for capturing the day in photos for us
Later in the afternoon Many people took the opportunity to stroll around Foxford and discover Guirys bar and The Moy Hotel and watch the Mayo v Meath GAA game. It was a great occasion in Foxford
We look forward to 2027 and commemorating the 250th anniversary of Admiral Browns birth in Foxford and Argentina.
Events are being planned between the Argentine Embassy in Buenos Aires and the Argentine Embassy in Ireland. An invitation has been issued inviting the Argentine Naval Training ship the ARA Libertad to Ireland to mark the celebrations. 2027 also marks 80 years of bilateral relations between Ireland and Argentina
events are planned in both Ireland and Argentina next summer to mark the anniversaries.
And in the meantime Foxford will be following and celebrating with Argentina in The World Cup. Viva Argebtina
It is hoped that a delegation from Foxford will visit Argentina the first time in 20 years, the last time in 2007 a delegation was led by JJ O Hara.
We would like to thank all the volunteers that helped on the day and the following for their help. Our social media has all the updates and has over 800k views and growing on our events and updates
- O Haras Bakery
- Mark McDonnell TUS Rural Social Scheme
- Austin Meehan and his team Mayo CoCo
- Cllr Neil Cruise
- Mayo CoCo
- Senator Mark Duffy
- Anthony & Mary Ruane R& R nurseries
- Foxford Brass & Reed Band
- Garda Pat Coleman
- Fr Padraig Costello
- Canon Andrea Wills
- HE Ana Laura Cachaza
- Ambassador designate Olive Hempenstall
- Tom Gilligan Mayo CoCo
- Cathaoirleach Mayo CoCo Sean Carey
- Minister Darragh Calleary
- Cllr Gerry Murray
- Lieutenant Eoin Colgan Irish Navy
- Bridie & Paul
- Nicola Lavelle
- Nigel Reape
- Mary Ruane
- Connacht Printing Ballina
- Juanco Marco and Liam Phelan
- Denise Kielty
- Geraldine Brett
- Conall and Donal Reilly
- Moy Hotel
- Sean Flynn Shutterfever photography
- David Beattie My Irish Drone
The Admiral Brown Society
Foxford community for their support
