Ahern opens hurling club in Argentina

A revamped former Argentinian hurling club was today officially re-opened by Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern.

Buenos Aires Hurling Club, which was founded by Irish emigrants in 1922, once fielded teams drawn from up to 1,000 members.

However it couldn’t source Irish ash timber to make hurleys when World War II broke out and emigrants from Ireland also dwindled.

Club players were then forced to take up rugby, soccer and hockey instead.

The club received a total of €33,700 from the Department of Foreign Affairs for its new refurbished facilities, which were unveiled today by Mr Ahern.

Mr Ahern, who is in Argentina for St Patrick’s Day events, said Ireland continues to cherish its links with the 500,000 people of Irish descent in the country.

He said: “Ireland greatly values its ties with Argentina. We must ensure that the relations between our two nations remain strong in the future and contribute to our mutual understanding and prosperity.”

Mr Ahern also addressed the Federation of Irish Argentine Societies in Buenos Aires, which represents the largest community of Irish emigrants outside the English-speaking world.

Since 2006, the society has received funding of €25,000 from the Irish Government.

The Fahy Irish Club in central Buenos Aires, which plays an active role within the Irish-Argentine community has received €30,000.

Mr Ahern yesterday laid a wreath at the tomb of Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine navy.

Mr Ahern also attended a reception in the Irish embassy for the Irish community.