The Argentine ambassador, Ann-Laura Cachaza was guest of honour at the annual asado of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society at The Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule. Also pictured are two former Irish ambassadors to Argentina. From left, Deputy Robert Troy TD, first consul Juan Tacetti, Maria Tacetti, Deputy Nicolas Vidal, Ambassador Cachaza, John Casey, Mullingar, Mary Egan, Ferbane, former ambassador Philomena Murnaghan, Peter Wallace, Multyfarnham, and former ambassador Paula Slattery.

Argentine links remembered at Friendship Society's Annual Asado

Argentine links remembered at friendship society's annual barbecue

There wasn’t a Ferrero Rocher chocolate in sight, but there was a strong ambassadorial presence at the annual asado (barbecue) of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, held at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule.

The guest of honour at the event was the Argentine ambassador, Ann-Laura Cachaza, who was accompanied by Argentine embassy officials Juan Tacetti and Deputy Nicolas Vidal.

Also present were two women who previously held the role of Irish ambassador in Argentina, Philomena Murnaghan from Omagh and Paula Slattery from Dublin.

A crowd of close to 160 attended the event, at which Argentine-style food was served and an exhibition of tango dance provided, followed by music from Johnny Carroll.

Ambassador Cachaza remarked that the Irish community is still very much alive and active in Argentina and she urged the society to continue to celebrate the tight bond between the two countries. The ambassador paid tribute to the chairperson of the asado, Una Byrne, who had welcomed her and her husband to Ireland earlier this year, and she noted that among the attendance in Abbeyshrule was John Gallagher from the Admiral Brown Society in Foxford.

Also present at the event were Deputies Peter Burke, Robert Troy and Joe Flaherty and Senator Micheál Carrigy.

Visiting from Argentina and in attendance at the event was Silvia Fleming, a member of The Hurling Club in Buenos Aires, who last year celebrated the centenary of their foundation.

Ms Fleming presented society representative Mary Egan with a copy of The Hurling Club’s centenary publication and also a book written by club member Juan José Delaney, whose roots go back to Walderstown.

She went on to tell the gathering that many members of the club trace their roots back to Westmeath or Longford.