MINISTER OF STATE TREACY ANNOUNCES FIRST TIME FUNDING TO IRISH COMMUNITY GROUPS IN ARGENTINA

Mr Noel Treacy, T.D, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, has today announced first time grants totalling €42,000 to three Irish-Argentine community organisations.  The organisations in question are the Fahy Club (€15,000), the Federation of Irish-Argentine Associations (€15,000) and the Southern Cross newspaper (€12,000).

In announcing this Government support, Minister Treacy said:

“I am delighted that, for the first time ever, the Government will this year support a number of Irish-Argentine community groups. 

The distinct experiences of the Irish who settled in Argentina make a rich contribution to the fascinating history of the Irish diaspora. The descendants of the men and women who left Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Longford, Wexford, and other parts of Ireland and settled in Argentina are also distinguished by the fact that they form the largest community of Irish descent outside of English-speaking countries.

Next year will mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Admiral Browne, the Mayo-born founder of the Argentine navy.  We take great satisfaction in the very significant and positive role played by Admiral Browne and many other illustrious Irish figures in developments in Argentina.  Their descendants continue this proud tradition right up to the current day.

The Irish Argentine community, for their part, have always maintained a strong pride in their Irish identity, and a great interest in Ireland.  We are deeply appreciative of this and are delighted to announce grants to a number of organisations to support their work in sustaining Irish-Argentine community networks.  We look forward to developing our connections with the Irish Argentine community further in the period ahead,” concluded Minister Treacy.

ENDS +++
7 August 2006

Note for Editors

In 2006, Department of Foreign Affairs funding for emigrant services has reached €12 million, an increase of 45% on 2005.  The bulk of this funding directed to Irish community organisations in Britain. 

The grants announced today are to three Irish community organisations based in Argentina. 

The Southern Cross receives a grant of €12,000.  This Spanish-language newspaper is owned and managed by the Irish-Argentine community and since its establishment in 1875, it has been a key tool in building and sustaining connections within the community.  The purpose of this grant is to enable it to invest in new equipment and to support the preservation of early editions of the newspaper, a heritage project of importance. 

The Fahy Club receives a grant of €15,000.  This Irish club is located in Buenos Aires and is named after Fr. Anthony Dominic Fahy (born Loughrea, Co. Galway and died in Argentina in 1871) who was chaplain to the then-growing Irish community in Argentina in the mid-19th century. The Club plays an active role within the Irish-Argentine community and the purpose of the grant is to contribute towards the costs updating its facilities. 

The Federation of Irish-Argentine Associations receives a grant of €15,000.  It links together the Irish societies located in Buenos Aires and further afield.  The purpose of the grant is to support a post in the Federation of an Executive Secretary.

The website of the Society for Irish Latin American Studies (www.irishargentine.org) draws together interesting material on migration from Ireland to South America.