Abbeyshrule ‘asado’ to celebrate the links between Longford and Argentina

The claim that there are people in Argentina who speak English with the accent of the grandparents or great-grandparents who left this area in the 1800s and 1900s to emigrate to South America isn't a mere claim: it's actually true.

The accent may now be found mainly among the older generations - but among their younger descendants, there remains a proudly-held awareness of the familial links to this country.

From this side of the ocean, those links between the midland counties of Ireland and the pampas of Argentina are still honoured, and there is even a Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, founded in Mullingar 34 years ago and still going strong.

A highlight on the calendar of the activities of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society each year is the annual ‘asado’ (barbecue), which takes place at The Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule.

The 2023 event is to take place this year on July 29.

Providing the music will be “The Man with the Golden Trumpet”, Johnny Carroll, and fans of the tango will again have the chance to see it performed by trained dancers who have spent years learning this complicated sequence.

As ever there will be fine steak served, smoking hot off the barbecue, together with Argentine-style side-dishes and salad and for dessert, the Argentine classic dulce de lecce.

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Emigrants
Ballymore, Ballymahon, Streamstown, Ballynacargy and Tang are among the areas from which the greatest numbers of Ireland's emigrants to Argentina hailed - but in fact, there were emigrants from all over not just Westmeath and Longford, but Offaly too and also Wexford and Galway.

The surnames live on to this day: families still linking back with their relatives in this area include MacLoughlins, Noonans, Duncans, Gannons, Duncans, Kavanaghs, Caseys and Ryans. It is estimated that a half million Argentines have some Irish ancestry.

The Irish had their own schools, some of which still exist including Cardinal Newman College, (alma mater of the rugby legend Felipe Contepomi) and Colegio Santa Brigida.

Also well-known in Argentina is the Hurling Club, located in Buenos Aires, and still in existence is the almost 150-year old newspaper for Argentina’s Irish community, The Southern Cross.

Music
After the asado, according to Society chair, Una Byrne, the members are set to begin looking at the contribution to the world of music made by composer Padraic Ganly.

In 1918 in Buenos Aires, Ganly published “Poblacht na hÉireann: 110 Original Irish Dance Tunes and Other Pieces for Violin, Flute, etc”, all composed by him.

Ganly’s origins are believed to have been in the Tang area.

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Tickets
Tickets for the asado, at €45, are available from members of the committee and officers or by calling 086 2627410.

Besides chair Una Byrne, who is from Ardagh, the other officers are Tomás Kelly from Castlepollard, secretary; Tom Ganly from Tullamore, treasurer, and Eilís Ryan, Ballymore, PRO.

On the committee are Peter Wallace, Multyfarnham, Mary Egan, Ferbane, John Casey, Mullingar, Michael Newman, Kilbeggan and Joe Masterson, Castlepollard.

Alternatively make contact via the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society’s Facebook page