Foxford will once again celebrate its Argentine connection when it commemorates the 157th anniversary of the death of its most famous son, Admiral William Brown.
Admiral’s Day on March 3 will be celebrated in the village with a piper led procession, which will include the Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, HE Silvia Maria Merega, the Second Secretary Rafael Galetto, from the Embassy of Argentina, Dublin, and representatives of the Irish Naval Service.
This will be followed by Mass at 12 noon and a laying of wreaths as the last post is sounded at the Brown Monument.
According to Oliver Murphy of the Admiral Brown Society, 2014 is a very important anniversary for the Foxford native, who founded and led Argentina’s first maritime forces and is a national hero for his role in securing Argentinian independence from the Spanish empire.
This year marks the bicentenary of two major naval victories brought about by Brown - the fall of the island fortress of Martin Garcia and the subsequent blockade and eventual surrender of the strategic port of Montevideo.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the life of Brown,” said Mr Murphy. “The Argentinian government has nominated that this be a year to pay homage to Admiral Brown. It it is a big deal in terms of Brown and what he achieved.”
Mr Murphy is hoping the whole community and Brown enthusiasts will come along to meet the ambassador and take part in the commemoration.
Also, as part of the celebrations, on March 2 at 8pm, in the Admiral Brown Memorial Hall in Foxford, Moy Productions will perform the popular show The Admiral, which charts the life and legacy,through music and dance, of Argentina’s famous naval commander.
The show was very well received when it was performed in Breaffy House last summer.
The proceeds of this performance will go to Belass House, a local Western Care service.
