Asado celebrates enduring Argentina Ireland friendship
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The Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Ana Laura Cachaz, right, with, from left, Una Byrne, chairperson, Longford Westmeath Argentina Society; Elisa Deniri, originally from Corrientes, now living in Dublin, and Carolina Beacon, originally from Rio Quarto, Argentina, also based in Dublin and with roots in Ballymore.Image 2 of 14
Enjoying the atmosphere at the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society’s asado at The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule. From left, Frank and Anne Clancy, Mullingar, Mary and Larry Scally, Streamstown, and Breda Higgins, Ardagh.Image 3 of 14
Enjoying the atmosphere at the Argentine asado were, from left, Penny Quinn, Cloncullen, Ballymahon, Liam Monaghan, Rathgar, Joe and Mel O’Keeffe, Coralstown, and Angela Boyhan, Crookedwood.Image 4 of 14
Margaret and Seamus McGrath, Ballymore and Rathfarnham, at the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society night.Image 5 of 14
From left, Maura Newman, Kilbeggan, Mara Drum and Rena Drumm, both Delvin, and Michael Newman, Kilbeggan.Image 6 of 14
Bernie Farrell, Ardnagrath, Rachel Connell, Castlepollard, and Deirdre Clogher, Castlepollard.Image 7 of 14
From Moyvore, Ursula Walsh, Christopher Lynn, Hilde Kiernan, Anders Kiernan and Louis Kiernan.Image 8 of 14
Joe and Nuala Henson, Rahugh, with Maura Newman, all from Kilbeggan.Image 9 of 14
Darina and Jess Warner, Loughnavalley, were among those who attended the Argentine night.Image 10 of 14
Members of the organising committee of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society asado, held at The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, back from left, Tom Ganly, Tullamore, John Casey, Mullingar, Joe Masterson, Castlepollard, Eilís Ryan, Ballymore, Mary Egan, Ferbane, and in front, chairperson Una Byrne, Longford, and Michael Newman, Kilbeggan.Image 11 of 14
A highlight of the evening was a display of tango dance given by two professional dancers. Eilis RyanImage 12 of 14
At the Longford Westmeath Argentina Association asado, from left, Frank Quinn, Longford, Maura Geoghegan, Colehill, Siobhán Costello, Colehill, and Kevin and Mel Deane, Longford.Image 13 of 14
At the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society asado at the Rustic Inn, from left, Kathleen Geoghegan, Durrow, Nuala and Pat Seery, Clomeyheigue, Kilbeggan, and Fred Geoghegan, Durrow.Image 14 of 14
Anne and Brendan Higgins, Collinstown, were among those who attended the annual asado.The Ambassador of Argentina to Ireland, Ana Laura Cachaza, joined the approximately 130 people present at The Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule on Saturday evening for the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society’s annual asado, a traditional Argentine barbecue, celebrating enduring links between Ireland and Argentina.
Addressing the packed event, Ambassador Cachaza expressed gratitude for the society’s ongoing commitment to nurturing ties between the two countries, which she described as “very much alive” in the region.
The ambassador said the connection has helped with the development of the positive and strong relationship that exists between the two countries.
“We love to be here every year, sharing this evening with all of you,” she said. “It’s amazing to hear how many of you have visited Argentina – from Buenos Aires to Iguazú Falls, Bariloche to Mendoza. These connections make our work at the embassy so much easier.”
She said the asado is held annually at Argentina’s Día del Amigo (Friendship Day), and it is “fantastic” to celebrate friendship at this time of year.
Among those present at the event were three former Irish ambassadors to Argentina and members of Irish families who maintain links with Argentine relatives or descendants of emigrants who once settled there.
Oral history
Society chairperson, Una Byrne, told attendees that Longford and Westmeath County Councils have launched a new oral history project about the links between the two countries: “The aim of the project is to record and archive personal stories of emigration to Argentina, return journeys and accounts of life in both countries,” Ms Byrne said.
“These testimonies are vital for preserving the shared history between Ireland and Argentina for future generations.”
Oral historian Adrian Roche is leading the project and will host public talks during Heritage Week in Ballymahon and Mullingar libraries on August 21. The Ballymahon event is at 2.30pm and the Mullingar one at 6.30pm.
Ms Byrne went on to say that a further development of interest is that while early editions of The Southern Cross are already available on microfilm in Mullingar Library, a digitisation project will soon make the archives fully searchable online.
A highlight of the evening was a demonstration of tango dancing given by two professional dancers, while music for the occasion was provided by Johnny Carroll, “the man with the golden trumpet”.