Argentine ambassador celebrates enduring links at annual asado
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Una Byrne, from Ardagh, chair of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, with the Argentine ambassador to Ireland Her Excellency Ana Laura Cachaza, at the annual asado.Image 2 of 16
From Moyvore, the McCormack family - Frances and Tommy with son, Michael, at the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society asado at The Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule.Image 3 of 16
Tom Ganly from Tullamore, Betty Smith, Drumraney, and Betty’s daughter, Karen Keenan, Drumraney, enjoying the Longford Westmeath Argentina society asado at The Rustic Inn.Image 4 of 16
Dominic and Mary Ledwith from Ballymore.Image 5 of 16
Members of the Argentine community and living in Greystones, from left, Lucia Fernandez, Victor Perez-Santander, Fr Bernardo Denardo, Miriam Farrell and Ricardo Colusso.Image 6 of 16
The committee of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, at the annual asado at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule. From left, Michael Newman, Kilbeggan, Anthony Thompson, Longford, Mary Farrell, Ballymore, John Casey, Mullingar, Una Byrne, Longford and EIlís Ryan, Mullingar.Image 7 of 16
Enjoying the asado, Rita O ‘Shea and Anne Clancy, both from Mullingar.Image 8 of 16
Frank Clancy and Tadhg O’Shea, both from Mullingar.Image 9 of 16
Helena and Tom Kelly travelled from Laytown to attend the barbecue.Image 10 of 16
From left, Oliver Choiseul, Tullamore, and Enda Bannon, Bunbrosna, attending the annual asado at the Rustic Inn.Image 11 of 16
From left, Eddie Somers, Ballymore, his sister Mary Egan, Ferbane, and wife Carmel Somers together with Eddie and Carmel’s daughter Edwina Somers-Dwyer and son-in-law Peter Dwyer, both Kilkenny.Image 12 of 16
From left, Michael and Mary Ganly, from Baskin, Drumraney; Joe Ganly, Mullingar, Deputy Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Betty Smith, Drumraney, Francis Cunningham, Drumraney John Ganly, Baskin and Karen Keenan, Drumraney.Image 13 of 16
Looking lovely at the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society were, from left, Sorcha Egan, Ballymore, Irene McGoey, Abbeyshrule Karen Whyte, Colette McDonagh-Whyte, Oranmore and Mary McGoey, Abbeyshrule.Image 14 of 16
The Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Her Excellency Ana Laura Cachaza, centre, accepting a bouquet of flowers from Longford Westmeath Argentina Society chairperson, Una Byrne, and on right, Society secretary Mary Egan, Ballymore.Image 15 of 16
Noel Heduan, Rathconrath, and his daughter, Marion, enjoying the asado.Image 16 of 16
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, TD, in conversation with the Argentine ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Ana Laura Cachaza, at the asado in Abbeyshrule.More than 150 years after Irish emigration to Argentina began in earnest, the historic ties between Longford, Westmeath and the South American nation were celebrated once again at the annual Longford Westmeath Argentina Society asado last weekend.
Around 130 people attended the traditional Argentine barbecue at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, where the guest of honour was the Ambassador of Argentina to Ireland, Her Excellency Ana Laura Cachaza.
The evening also featured music from Johnny Carroll, “the man with the golden trumpet”, while two young Argentine performers gave a display of traditional dance.
Society chairperson Una Byrne reflected on activities over the year, including the completion of the Argentina Immigration and Oral History Project, which has preserved the stories of emigrants and their descendants. The project archives are now housed in the libraries of both Westmeath and Longford.
She said a home has been found for a bust of General San Martín, presented to Ireland by the Irish community in Argentina in 1966 but which had never been displayed: it is now to be exhibited at the new county museum in Longford, due to open at the end of 2027.
Ms Byrne also paid tribute to former committee member Tommy Kelly, affectionately known as “the Irish Gaucho”, who died in May. She said he had been synonymous with the annual asado for many years, with many members fondly remembering his homemade Argentine chorizo.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Cachaza said she enjoyed visiting the midlands: “It is always a pleasure for me to be here celebrating the links between this part of Ireland and Argentina and this beautiful friendship between two countries that have so much in common,” she said.
She noted the coincidence that the annual asado takes place close to Argentina’s Friendship Day on July 20, saying it reflected the enduring personal and family bonds forged by generations of emigrants.
“The numerous ties between our countries forged throughout history are intertwined with the personal and family histories of so many Irish and Argentines who call the other country home,” she said.
“These are stories of people dating back more than two centuries that were in some way defined by their Irish heritage and a strong commitment to their new home.”
The ambassador said those links were especially strong in Westmeath and Longford, from where many emigrants had departed in search of a new life on the Pampas.
She praised the recently completed oral history project, describing it as “a clear and concrete example of how personal and family histories contribute to creating living ties between two countries”.
The ambassador reflected on Argentina’s long tradition of welcoming migrants from around the world: “In Argentina, migrants arriving from diverse backgrounds became part of the country, creating a strongly integrated identity,” she said. “Our country continues to welcome with open arms those who choose it as their home.” Drawing a parallel with the Irish who emigrated to Argentina generations ago, she said more recent arrivals had similarly enriched Argentine society.
She also spoke warmly of the welcome she has received in Ireland. “I can also say that I feel at home here, and particularly when I’m here in this part of Ireland,” she told those gathered.
Ambassador Cachaza thanked the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society for its work in keeping alive the shared heritage between the two countries. “It is a privilege for me as Ambassador of Argentina in Ireland to be able to share this dinner with you every year,” she said.