Mayo pays fitting final tribute to Argentine Ambassador to Ireland
The funeral has taken place in Foxford today of the Argentine Ambassador to Ireland, 63-year-old Laura Bernal.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, attendance at today’s ceremony was strictly limited to immediate family and a number of dignitaries.
Acting Ambassador of Argentina in Ireland, Mr. Diego Sadofschi, Government Chief Whip Sean Kyne, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Niall Burgess, and the Chairman of the Admiral Brown Society, Gus O’Hara, were among the attendance.
Requiem Mass in St. Michael's Church was concelebrated by Fr. Dermot Meehan, Diocesan Administrator of Achonry, and His Excellency, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Thaddus Okolo.
Since her appointment as ambassador in 2016, she had been a regular visitor to Foxford - the hometown of Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy.
She built up a close relationship with Mayo County Council and the Admiral Brown Society in Foxford, and in keeping with the wishes of her family, she was laid to rest in Craggagh Cemetery, Foxford, after Requiem Mass.
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okool, described the deceased as 'a careful, kind and considerate woman'.
In his homily, he said she was always serving others, very charitable and a sterling example to others throughout her life.
He bemoaned the fact that Covid-19 restricted the attendance of many people at her funeral who wished to pay tribute and respect to her.
“But she will always be pictured in our hearts for her fine qualities, her ideals and all her good deeds,” he added.
In a tribute to the deceased, Peter Hynes, outgoing chief executive, Mayo County Council, said the deceased will be fondly remembered in Mayo for her big smile and warm nature.
“She was a very happy person and extremely proud,” he said.
The ceremonies were livestreamed by Mayo.ie to Argentina for the benefit of relatives and other mourners who could not travel.
Members of the local community – all observing distancing rules – lined the route as Ms. Bernal’s remains were brought to Craggagh Cemetery from St. Michael’s Church.
Foxford Brass Band played the national anthems of both Argentina and Ireland as Ms. Bernal, whose coffin was draped in the blue and white Argentinian colours, was brought to her final resting place.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.