‘Tight bonds’ between Ireland and Argentina celebrated at asado
Image 1 of 13
Mary Egan, of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, on right, presenting a bouquet of flowers in the Argentine colours to that country’s ambassador, Ana Laura Cachaza, at the annual asado on Saturday, July 20. Eilis RyanImage 2 of 13
Lorraine and James Noone, Kilbeggan. Eilis RyanImage 3 of 13
The Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Ana Laura Cachaza, second from left, with, on left, Deputy Robert Troy, and on right, Una Byrne, chairperson, Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, and Senator Micheal Carrigy. Eilis RyanImage 4 of 13
The tango dancers who gave a display of this classc Argentine dance at the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society asado at The Rustic Inn recently. Eilis RyanImage 5 of 13
Friends and neighbours from Rahugh, enjoying the asado. From left, Brendan Bagnall, Joe and Margaret Henson, and Annette Bagnall. Eilis RyanImage 6 of 13
Andrew Kiernan, Calverstown, and Aileen Sealy, Co Wicklow, were among those who attended. Eilis RyanImage 7 of 13
From left, John Casey, Clonmoyle, Mullingar, treasurer, Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, James Bannon, Longford, and Angela Boyhan, Crookedwood. Eilis RyanImage 8 of 13
From Ballynacargy, Tommy Moughty with sons Vincent and Stephen. Eilis RyanImage 9 of 13
From left, Maureen Allen, Tyrrellspass, John Guinan, Ferbane, and Jacinta Martin, Ballymore. Eilis RyanImage 10 of 13
From left, Annie and Brendan Higgins, Collinstown, and Rodrigo and Aoife Vaamonde, Galway. Eilis RyanImage 11 of 13
A very diplomatic gathering! From left, the Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Ana Laura Cachaza; Philomena Murnaghan, Dublin, and Jackie O’Halloran-Bernstein, also Dublin, both of whom served as Irish ambassador to the Argentine; Gustavo Bernstein, Dublin; former Irish ambassador to the Argentine, Paula Slattery, Dublin and Silvia Spatola, Dundalk. Eilis RyanImage 12 of 13
Memberes of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, with the Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Ana Laura Cachaza; at the Society's annual asado, held at The Rustic Inn, Abbeyhsrule on Saturday nighit last. From left, Michael Newman, Kilbeggan, Una Bynre, Ardagh, chairperson; Tom Ganly, Tullamore, Ambasador Cachaza; John Casey, Clonmoyle, Mullingar; Mary Egan, Ferbane; Joe Masterson, Castlepollard and Eilís Ryan, Mullingar. Eilis RyanImage 13 of 13
Enjoying the asado, from left, Kieran and Mary Geoghegan, Tyrrellspass and Joan and Eamonn Ginty, Aughnacliffe, Longford. Eilis RyanSaturday, July 20, was "The Day of Friendship" in Argentina - and by coincidence it was also the day that the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society held their annual asado at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule.
“I couldn't think of a better place to be today, when I am not in Argentina,” the Argentine ambassador to Ireland Ana Laura Cachaza, told those present at the Rustic Inn for the event.
Ms Cachaza, who was guest of honour at the asado, said that there are “tight bonds” between this country and hers, and she revealed that a meeting is to take place in the parliament in Buenos Aires this week of a new Ireland friendship group comprising members of the Argentine parliament.
The chairperson of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, Una Byrne, said the society is anxious to continue to maintain and strengthen the links between this part of Ireland and Argentina.
“Our asado gathering allows us the opportunity to celebrate our past links and make new links with the countries of our ancestors,” she said.
Much of the Irish emigration to Argentina was from Westmeath and Longford, particularly in the areas around Ballymore and Ballymahon, Streamstown, and over towards Ballynacargy and then Mullingar. Considerable numbers from the Athlone/Tang areas also went and there were also departures from Offaly, as well as from Galway, Wexford and Dublin. What attracted them were the opportunities in agriculture.
The Longford Westmeath Argentina Society was established in the 1980s and each year holds its annual Argentine-style barbecue at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule.