Irish immigration into Argentina

Mercedes, in the Province of Buenos Aires, had been settled by many, many Irish inmigrants which became suddenly rich just after the potato's famine in 1845...

Not magically, but for hard work and fertile lands.

The Irish inmigrants that came to Argentina, after the potato's famine, were perhaps the luckiest Irish inmigrants in all the world.

Racially they were confused with the English, also because they spoke that language, and they had something very important thing in common: they were catholics. Quickly they were eagerly accepted as future husbands by wealthy young girls from the landowner's class.

The outcome was that in one generation they were huge landowners (estancieros) and also accepted in the Jockey Club and the Circulo de Armas. (Both high class clubs)

That is the reason why if you have an Irish family name, your social category grows up inmediately. If you visit Recoleta Cemetery, there are old graves with Irish names: Kavanagh, O Reilly, Fahy, Donovan... and so one.

As times passed, the economic prosperity of the Irish allowed them to send their children to British schools in the homeland. And quickly forgotten the fights with the English domination of Ireland. That was the reason why the remnants Irish form Ireland were angry with them, because they were seen as traitors. (because of their allegiance to the British rule).

Quote from Rice

Fascinating, Carlos . I’m thinking of the Kavanaugh Building in Buenos Aires -

The Kavanagh building shows perfectly the prosperity of Argentina in the 1930's, when even the powerful USA was inside the depression. The building was built in only one year, it was the first skyscraper built in reinforced concrete (The American ones were in steel), also the first in Latin America to have HVAC in all rooms and apartments, and the tallest in the world of its kind.}The aesthetic aspects were drawn from the Rockefeller Center, (also from the great american draughtsman Hugh Ferris) however the building technique was German, at that time specialists in reinforced concrete. Also its majestic shape is like a prow looking the Retiro Plaza, and its telescopic way of going up is a bit Art Deco.

A curious thing at that time is that the architects were so good in designing a modern building like this, but also they were able to design Tudor stule homes, Classical palaces and Spanish style residences, They were totally eclectics, with no regrets at all. ( Architecture a la carte!)