Mayo town getting behind Argentina for World Cup final

YOU won't need a passport to get into Foxford, but you may think you've landed in a different country this weekend.

Flags are flying high as the town gets geared up to support Argentina when they take on Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday evening.

Foxford, of course, was the birthplace of Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy, who remains a celebrated figure in Argentina and his native county, with strong links between the two forged over many years.

Those links extend to Argentina's World Cup squad itself.

Alexis Mac Allister presented a signed World Cup jersey to the people of Foxford in 2022.

And there is an interesting connection with GOAT Lionel Messi - statues of Admiral Brown in Foxford and Dublin were both cast in Rosario, Messi's birthplace.

Sunday's final kicks off at 8 p.m. and the Moy Hotel in Foxford will be showing the game on the big screen.

Margaret Reilly, chairperson of the Admiral Brown Society, is rallying supporters to 'get out in your jerseys and get your flags to join us as we support Argentina and Foxford's finest, Admiral William Brown'.

There will be fantastic music on the evening too, with CCÉ Admiral Brown and local musicians, and Argentenian uileann piper Pamela Schweblin is also being welcomed to Mayo and Foxford for the next few days to join the celebrations.

Said Margaret: “It promises to be a fun-filled evening and we hope you can join us supporting La Scaloneta.”

Longer-term plans are in the pipeline to celebrate and preserve Admiral Brown's legacy in his hometown.

The Admiral Brown Society are currently working with Mayo County Council and local councillors, Ministers Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon and Senator Mark Duffy to create a cultural centre in Foxford to house the Admiral Brown Collection and share the story of Brown with the many tourists and visitors to Foxford.

They are also preparing for a big announcement around the 250th anniversary of Brown's birth in 2027.