Armstrong family link between Banagher and Argentina explored
Argentinian ambassador to Ireland among speakers at fascinating talk in Banagher
LOCAL history enthusiasts had a real treat in Banagher recently when Eduardo M. Garcia Fernandez Saenz from Buenos Aires gave an important talk on his Armstrong ancestors, in particular Thomas St. George Armstrong who was born in Garrycastle, Banagher, in 1797.
The inimitable James Scully introduced Ana Laura Cachaza, the Argentinian ambassador to Ireland, Eduardo M. Garcia Fernandez Saenz, who spoke of his grandfather’s great achievements and named many of the Irish family, and Mike Feerick from “Ireland Reaching Out”, as speakers to over 40 people in Crank house.
The ambassador spoke graciously about being honoured to represent her country in Banagher. Eduardo told us about the Irish who emigrated in the 1820s. Now the Irish descendants are the 5th largest group in the country.
About one million have Irish Ancestry. 100 years ago “The Hurling Club of Buenos Aires” was founded, It flourishes today with sports plus men’s and women’s GAA.
Thomas Armstrong, 1685, a second son, built a new stone bridge in Banagher across the Shannon. He raised the money. His daughter Margaret was the first to cross it. Thomas Saint Armstrong (1797) was from the Westmeath Longford area. Thomas St George Armstrong participated and documented the 1798 rebellion.
Thomas Armstrong (1827) was a mix of Church of Ireland and Catholic and was very involved with both. He had three marriages, the children were Catholics. He was a very good businessman, developed the railways, advised Queen Victoria and in 1829 founded the Bank of Argentina.
In 1887 he founded “The Stranger Clubs” for foreigners. Fr Fahy, a Dominican from Galway moved to Argentina. He paid his rent and helped him with his charities. Thomas was the grandfather of Eduardo and is a great hero in Argentina. 1985-1990 was a very important time in the world.
Argentina was rich but not developed for older people. Isabel Armstrong Retundo addressed this through the Armstrong Foundation.
Mike Feerick and Spanish translator Connor are very interested in the diaspora. The Irish first went to Argentina with Magellan 1600. Lots perished on the long voyage. Many were well educated and rich so settled.
Many Irish also left to live in Spain. To help the poor Irish, Argentina gave sheep and land to them for three years. They then took half the sheep and half the land, they gave the Irish other halves.
P.J. Armstrong, Drombane, Thurles explained that an ancestor’s horse slipped but the rider remained astride because of his “Strong Arm”.
On the day Eduardo and Rene visited places with historic Armstrong interest. Houses at Ballycumber, Ballivor, Ballylin, Gallen Priory, and Ballycastle near Banagher were visited.
On the Sunday they attended Mass in St Rynagh’s Church and were given a very warm welcome round of applause after the announcement that his ancestor had donated the land for the church.
Pauline O'Donovan presented the ambassador with a beautiful painting of historic Banagher. Sheila Keenaghan presented a book to Rene wife of Eduardo.
I spotted goalkeeper Damien Barton, Breda Kenny, manager of Offaly History, Sean and Maebh Regan. Thanks to Padraig Feery, film, Sean Corrigan flags.
Over 40 people attended in Crank House for a splendid history of our two countries organised by historian par excellence James Scully.