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- Tall
ship in Killala Bay
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- It was a case of a
dream coming true for members of the Foxford Admiral
Brown Society when the majestic Argentine tall ship, The
Libertad, sailed into Killala Bay on Friday evening for a
two-day visit. Executive Officer Commander Vallandares
and his crew took part in many events arranged to mark
the visit.
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- Thousands flocked to the shores of Kilcummin to
view one of the largest sailing ships in the world,
measuring 103.7m in length. It has a crew of 270. Many
members of the public took the opportunity to visit the
ship.
- The Admiral Brown Society, under its president,
Foxford
businessman J. J. O'Hara, had been campaigning for six
years to bring the Libertad to Mayo. Foxford, the
birthplace of Admiral William Brown, founder of the
Argentine Navy, is developing a major project to
commemorate Brown. The plan includes a commemorative
park, interpretative centre and hostel
- Sporting contests were arranged as well as visits
to Foxford to see details of the project.
- A plaque was also unveiled at Newport to honour
Sergt Major John King, a captain in Brown's fleet during
the 1800's, and later at Foxford a wreath was laid by
Minister for Defence Mr Michael Smith and the Ambassador
of Argentina to Ireland, Snr. Victor Beauge.
- The close bonds of friendship which have been
fostered between the Argentine and Foxford were referred
to by Minister of State, Dr. Tom Moffatt when he visited
The Libertad during the weekend and the special
ceremonies in Foxford.
- Touring the tall ship, The Libertad, as a special
guest, Dr. Moffatt thanked the captain and crew and the
Foxford Admiral Brown committee for the invitation and
extended the best wishes of the Govt. on what he
described as an auspicious occasion.
- "You come here on a great mission, to honour the
founder of your navy, Admiral William Brown, one of our
great and most cherished sons who hailed from Foxford
just a short distance up the River Moy," he
said.
- "Your arrival here also coincides with the
celebrations which are ongoing to mark the 200th
anniversary of the landing of the French forces under
General Humbert in these waters. These are indeed
historic waters and this weekend they will go into the
annals through your courtesy visit. History does not
record that William Brown ever came here as a young boy
but I am sure that being from the West and Foxford, so
near the Atlantic, the call of the sea was in his
blood.
- "Your presence here this weekend signifies the
importance which the Argentine Govt. and Naval Service
attaches to the Foxford / Argentine direct links through
the Founder of your Navy and the major part he played in
so many of his adopted country's successful naval
battles. He came from noble origins and, like so many of
our illustrious sons and daughters, climbed to the
highest rung of your naval ladder.
- "We know that Argentina is proud of Admiral Brown
and that he holds a special place in the hearts of the
400,000 Irish descendants who reside in your
country.
- "My colleague in Govt. the Minister for Defence,
Michael Smith is joining with the Argentine Ambassador,
Snr. Victor Beauge, in a wreath laying ceremony at the
Admiral's bust, again signifying the importance of the
international occasion.
- "Close bonds of friendship have been fostered
between the Argentine and Foxford through the Foxford
committee under the drive of your dynamic leader, J.J. O'
Hara, who, at this stage, must be as well known in
Argentina as the Admiral. Much work has gone on behind
the scenes to build a fitting memorial to Admiral Brown
in Foxford and plans are well advanced for a £1.4m
Admiral Brown project on the banks of the River Moy," he
added.
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