Martin pays tribute to Irish battalion who fought during Mexican-American war

The St Patrick's Battalion was one of the battalions that fought alongside the Mexican army and is highly regarded in the country

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with members of the local Mexico City GAA team.

On his last stop before leaving Mexico City for Bogotá, Tánaiste Micheál Martin stopped off in the historic neighbourhood of San Angel to pay tribute to the Irish battalion who fought with Mexico during the Mexican-American war.

The St Patrick's Battalion, known in Mexico as the Battalon de San Patricio, was one of the battalions that fought alongside the Mexican army and are highly regarded in the country.

The battalion was a foreign legion made up primarily of Catholic Irish, French, German, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, many of whom had deserted the US Army for better treatment in Mexico.

Arriving into the square, the Tánaiste left his car alongside the Irish Ambassador, Maeve von Heynitz, where he was greeted by members of the local Mexico City GAA team — Los San Patricios — named for the famous battalion.

The women's team gathered around a bust of one of the key commanders in the battalion — John Riley — who led the soldiers until their capture and execution at San Angel.

Mr Martin toured around and spoke with each player who attended, with people on the team coming from Ireland, Mexico, Wales, Scotland, and further afield.

A significant number of the players on the team are originally from Mexico, having been drawn to the sport through social media.

Before leaving the team, the Tánaiste was presented a Los San Patricios jersey by the captain of the men's team, John Vaughan.

Plaque

After his meeting, he crossed the road alongside Ms Heynitz to view a plaque that records the names of the Irishmen who fought and were executed by the Americans follow

Shortly after, Mr Martin walked over to the Museo Casa Del Risco, where a memorial room dedicated to the Irish battalion is located.

The Tánaiste was given a brief tour of the room, where he heard the importance of the battalion to Mexican folklore and culture.

Speaking at the museum after his tour, the Tánaiste paid tribute to the men who fought alongside Mexico during the 1846-1848 war.

"It is particularly fitting that I conclude my official visit here with you all tonight in the historic colonia of San Angel. The area’s ties to the Batallon de San Patricio make it an appropriate setting for this reception that brings together our Irish Community and friends of Ireland in Mexico," Mr Martin said.

"Tonight, I have the honour to officially unveil the memorial room she has installed in the entrance to this important museum, an experience I found both humbling and moving. I hope that this memorial will serve as an important site to honour the Batallion for generations to come."

The Tánaiste also paid tribute to the museum director, Gabriela Lopez Torres, for constructing the memorial to the soldiers.