Descendants of Irish settlers who set up as ranchers on the vast Pampas of Argentina in the 19th century gathered in Buenos Aires on Saturday for ceremonies to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Admiral William Browne, founder of the Argentinian Navy.
Many, like John Clancy, whose great grandparents emigrated from Co Wexford in 1844, had tears in their eyes as a navy brass band sounded the Last Post at the Irishman's tomb in a hushed Recoleta Cemetery.
Mr Clancy (80), with a granddaughter, Shiela, by his side, was particularly moved that up to 200 Irish people, mostly from Co Mayo where Browne was born in 1777, had made the long trip to pay homage to him.
"Browne was a true hero," he said. "He did more for this country than any Argentine ever did." Another Irish-Argentine to experience strong emotions was Louis Delaney (77) whose ancestors were part of the large exodus from Co Westmeath and other midland counties during and after the famine.
Scanning the paler faces of the visiting contingent from Ireland, Mr Delaney said: "It's great to be able to meet our blood cousins. Despite the fact that my family has been here for nearly one and a half centuries, I feel and think more like an Irish person than an Argentine."
According to the Irish Ambassador to Argentina, Philomena Murnaghan, about half a million Argentines are of Irish descent.
Speaking in Spanish to large audiences, Ambassador Murnaghan described the relationship between Ireland and Argentina as "excellent and of long standing".
A large group travelled from Foxford, Browne's hometown for the ceremonies, including JJ O'Hara, President of the Admiral Browne Society and local curate, Fr Joseph Gavigan who concelebrated a special Te Deum Mass at the Naval Church, Capillo Stella Maris on Saturday.
The Irish Defences Forces were represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Dermot Earley and Commodore Frank Lynch, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service.
Mayo County Council sent a delegation and they were accompanied by the mayors of Castlebar, Ballina and Westport.
A measure of the esteem in which Admiral Browne is held in his adopted land is the fact that 3,000 streets in the country and three towns are named after him.
Chief of staff of the Argentine navy, Jorge Omar Godoy said of Browne: "Irish by birth and Argentine by adoption, he is the hero of our past naval glories and served our country with firmness and sacrifice."