Asado tradition continues with food, music and dancing in Abbeyshrule

The Longford Westmeath Argentine Society is preparing to host one of its most anticipated annual social events later this month, the traditional Asado on Saturday July 25, at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule.

The popular gathering, which has been a fixture on the society’s calendar for decades, promises an evening of authentic Argentine cuisine, music and dancing. Entertainment will be provided by renowned trumpeter Johnny Carroll; food will be served from 8.30pm.

Tickets cost €60 and are available through the Longford Westmeath Argentine Society Facebook page, from Eilís Ryan, Mullingar (086 2627410), or Una Byrne, Longford (087 2938937).

The annual Asado has earned a strong reputation for the quality and authenticity of its food. Organisers go to considerable lengths to recreate the traditional Argentine barbecue experience, with succulent steaks cooked over the grill alongside specially prepared chorizo sausages.

The sausages are commissioned from a local butcher, who produces them using a traditional Argentine recipe to ensure the flavours remain as authentic as possible.

The event also serves as a celebration of the enduring historical links between Longford, Westmeath and Argentina.

Those connections date to the 19th century, when thousands of people from the midlands emigrated to South America. Further migration continued into the early decades of the 20th century.

Many descendants of those emigrants remain in contact with relatives in Ireland despite the passing of generations, the vast geographical distance and, increasingly, language differences. While English was once widely spoken among Irish-Argentine families, often retaining distinctive Irish accents, younger generations today are more likely to learn the language through formal education.

Traditionally, the Argentine ambassador to Ireland attends the Asado, underlining the importance of the long-standing relationship between the two countries and the role played by the Longford Westmeath Argentine Society in preserving that shared heritage.

The rich cultural ties are also reflected in The Southern Cross, the Irish community newspaper in Argentina, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. Although now published exclusively online, the newspaper continues to report on Irish-Argentine affairs, and many familiar Longford and Westmeath surnames still appear regularly in its pages, illustrating the lasting legacy of the midlands families who made Argentina their home.