Naval tourism venture snubbed

RARE naval artifacts stored in Dublin for five years can’t be moved to Co Mayo because the Department of Arts and Tourism is refusing to foot the bill.

A priceless gift presented to the people of Foxford in Co Mayo by the Argentine navy has been locked away in Dublin docks since 1998. No one is willing to pay the €17,500 to move two containers of cannons, small firearms and other artifacts to Mayo.

The gift was donated in honour of Foxford-born Admiral William Brown, who established Argentina’s navy in the 1800s. The cannons will form the centre-piece of the Admiral Brown Memorial Park in Foxford, which will open next year.