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(A personal view of the visit of the Libertad, the Argentine Navy training vessel, to Galway on June 16 th
2007 by Maureen Langan-Egan, Senior Vice-President Muintir Mhaigh Eo, Galway)

On board the Argentinian tall ship the Fragata Libertad on a courtesy visit to Galway at the joint
invitation of the Admiral Brown Society of Foxford and Muintir Mhaigh Eo, Galway, Commandant Pablo
Marcelo Vignoles spoke of how the sea unites rather than separates countries. This visit, to
commemorate the 150 th anniversary of the death of Admiral Brown, best known as the founder of the
Argentinian Navy, marked the ongoing historical and cultural links between Ireland and Argentina.
Vision was a keynote of Brown’s life, the visit to Ireland marked the vision of the inimitable J.J. O’Hara of
the Admiral Brown Society and that of Séamus Murray, the indefatigable Chairperson of Muintir Mhaigh
Eo along with his Association members (some of whom had visited Argentina some months previously)
who brought this vision to fruition. The superb organisation which underpinned every aspect of this visit
was awesome.

Ní neart go cur le chéile. (Unity is strength). Argentina, through Admiral Brown and others, had
provided help for Ireland during difficult times. This kindness is being returned on an ongoing
basis. A ‘help-needing school’ in Los Laureles on an island in the Parana River, whose pupils are
singularly disadvantaged, received generators and other electrical equipment supplied by ABS.
This equipment was installed by the electricians of the Irish Navy ship the L.E.Eithne, when on a
courtesy visit to Argentina some months ago. Such assistance would surely be dear to the heart
of Admiral Brown, who himself was the product of a harsh youth. In the words of O’Hara:
‘If Brown could defeat two Empires, we surely could give these children hope’.
Such hope was further fostered in the gift of a much needed microscope provided by school
children in Foxford.

Those who attended the ceremonial launch in the Galway Bay Hotel will long remember the
standing ovation given to Captain Kevin Walsh of the pilot boat, referred to as a ‘magician’ for
his skill in mooring the Libertad. Who, present, will ever forget the openness of the ship’s crew,
the willingness to share information and the genuine welcome extended to all visitors (the
Argentinian equivalent of Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh) who were enthralled with the mystique of the
tall ships?
The sounds and colour of the visit will long remain in the memory. Those privileged to hear
them will never forget the Argentinian musicians, some from remote Patagonia, who delighted
listeners as they played on the ship’s prow and in the Skeffington Arms.

It is, indeed, fitting that they now form the River Plate Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Their dancers were simply superb.
The dark blue of the seamen’s uniforms provided a strong contrast with the green blazers of
the Mayo Committee and the red and green of many of the signs extending Fáilte to visitors.
The Mayo crystal bowls presented to leading dignitaries were greatly admired. Paintings. which
represented aspects of life in each country where the Libertad had called, provided colourful
insights into other cultures.
As an active committee member of Muintir Mhaigh Eo, I felt a quiet pride in Mayo at its best,
magnificent Mayo as represented by Admiral Brown and by the efforts of all involved in the
festivities to commemorate him. In the words of Rafterí, an file, which are the motto of our
organisation ‘Nár stopfaimid coíche’.

© Maureen Egan

‘The best laid schemes o’ mice an’men gang aft agley’. The proposed   plans of our Association bear witness to the truth of Robert Burns’ belief that unseen forces can wreck the best laid plans.   At the end of our last formal Annual Dinner, over two years ago,  we ended the evening with the customary wish ‘Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo aris’, promising to  meet again one year later.   

We could not have  anticipated how the Beast from the East, in the form of an insidious virus, COVID-22, would wreak havoc with our lives and arrangements.  Our members, having cocooned and endured lockdowns in an effort both to limit the spread of the virus and avoid contracting it, hosted a lunch on April 9^th in The Galway Bay Hotel.  The Hotel, for its part,  complied  with all official recommendations regarding seating and spacing at functions, allaying any anxieties about such meetings  being hotbeds of infection.

This lunch was a first for us and proved to be a most enjoyable occasion.  Monica Heneghan, our Association Chairperson, welcomed all in attendance.  We were very pleased to welcome members from the Sligo and the Dublin Associations.   Canon Michael McLoughlin officiated at Mass.  (He stated that the former Archbishop of Tuam, Most Reverend  Michael Neary and the current Archbishop, Most Reverend  Francis Duffy  were unable to attend).  At the start of Mass, he referred to the role  and store of memory among the members of the Association, now over 50 years In existence.  Andy Dunleavy, an Association  Golden Jubilarian, referred to some earlier members and events.  Canon Michael referred to an original aim  and vision of the Association to provide assistance and support to each other and to further good causes. Specific reference was made to the sourcing and delivery of  much needed dialysis equipment to Merlin  Park Hospital some years ago, a fine example of the contributions made by the Association to various causes    Prayers were offered for absent friends and for some people who are ill. 

Our meal was first class.   The menu choices were excellent.   People were very glad to meet up and exchange news and views. It became apparent to some  present how isolated they had become in efforts to remain safe and how much they enjoyed meeting people in a safe environment.  Before we went our separate ways later in the evening in glorious Spring sunshine, committee members received suggestions that we should host an Annual Lunch from now on, based on the success of this inaugural one. It has a lot to recommend it and will be discussed at Committee level in due course. 

Personally, I hope this lunch will become a regular feature of the social calendar of the Association.  However, ‘is maith an scéalaí an aimsir’ – time will tell.

Maureen Langan Egan

We held our first in-person meeting in the past number of months since the onset of Covid and plans are afoot for a number of events later this year. Keep an eye out for more information!