The Irish Naval Service patrol vessel, the LE Niamh, is underway on a 14,000-mile diplomatic trip around South America. The trip, which will cost upwards of €500,000, has gone ahead despite criticism of the cost at a time when Ireland is undergoing severe economic recession. The LE Niamh will stop to refuel at Tenerife before heading on to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, before undertaking a full circumnavigation of South America. The route will follow the path taken by Irish mariner Admiral William Brown, from Foxford in Co Mayo. Brown was an Irish orphan who ended up leading the Argentine navy at the start of the 19th century.
Details of the trip, which purports to strengthen diplomatic ties with South American nations in which the Irish diaspora have had a large influence, are available on the defence forces website, and on a dedicated Facebook Page.
