Foreign relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of Ireland, have existed for over a century. Both nations share a history of Irish culture due to the fact that over 50,000 Irish settlers migrated to Argentina. Argentina is home to the fifth largest Irish community abroad and the biggest in a non-English speaking nation.Viva Irlanda! Exploring the Irish in Argentina
/ref> Over half a million Argentine nationals claim Irish heritage. Both nations are members of the United Nations.

History

Early Irish migrants may have arrived to Argentina with Spanish settlers in the service of Spain. From 1806 to 1807, British forces tried unsuccessfully to seize control of parts of Argentina, mostly around the Río de la Plata area, which became known as the '' British invasions of the River Plate''. During the invasion, several Irish soldiers deserted the British army and joined the Spanish/Argentine army. The best known Irish was Admiral William Brown who arrived to Argentina in 1810. He is accredited for creating the

Argentine Navy The Argentine Navy (ARA; es, Armada de la República Argentina). This forms the basis for the navy's ship prefix "ARA". is the navy of Argentina. It is one of the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic, together with the ...

and for fighting on behalf of Argentina against Spain, Brazil, England and France. Due to poverty and

famine A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including war, natural disasters, crop failure, Demographic trap, population imbalance, widespread poverty, an Financial crisis, economic catastrophe or government policies. Th ...

, over 50,000 Irish nationals migrated to Argentina between the years of 1830–1930 in search of land and a better life. In 1916, during the

Easter Rising The Easter Rising ( ga, Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the a ...

, it was an Argentine born Irishman by the name of

Eamon Bulfin Eamon Bulfin (1892–1968) was an Argentina, Argentine-born Irish republican. He was the son of writer William Bulfin (1864–1910) of Birr, County Offaly, Birr, in County Offaly (then called King's County). His father had emigrated to Argentin ...

who raised the flag saying "Irish Republic" over the

General Post Office The General Post Office (GPO) was the state postal system and telecommunications carrier of the United Kingdom until 1969. Before the Acts of Union 1707, it was the postal system of the Kingdom of England, established by Charles II in 1660. ...

in Dublin.An Irishman’s Diary on Argentina’s link to 1916
/ref> Because Bulfin was Argentine, he was not executed after being caught by the British. He was deported to Argentina and later was appointed by Éamon de Valera as the first Irish consul in Buenos Aires. Bulfin was joined by Irish Republican Laurence Ginnell in 1921 to promote support for Irish independence and to raise a £500,000 loan from the richest members of the Irish community in Argentina. In 1937, Ireland became an independent nation and in June 1947, both Argentina and Ireland established diplomatic relations.Remarks by President McAleese at a Reception for the Irish Community and Friends of Ireland
/ref> That same year, Ireland opened its embassy in Buenos Aires.Ireland-Argentina Relations
/ref> During the

Falklands War The Falklands War ( es, link=no, Guerra de las Malvinas) was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial de ...

(April - May 1982) between Argentina and the United Kingdom, Ireland was a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and voted for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 502 which demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities between Argentina and the United Kingdom and a complete withdrawal by Argentine forces of the Falklands Islands. At the same time the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher asked the Irish government to abstain from a resolution calling for a ceasefire between the United Kingdom and Argentina. In 2016, Argentina and Ireland jointly celebrated the bicentennial of Argentina's independence and Ireland's centenary of the Easter Rising.

High-level visits

High-level visits from Argentina to Ireland * Senator

Daniel Filmus Daniel Fernando Filmus (; born June 3, 1955) is an Argentine politician and academic, currently serving as the country's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, since 2021. Filmus formerly served as a National Senator for the City of Bu ...

(2013) * Representative Guillermo Carmona (2013) High-level visits from Ireland to Argentina * President Mary Robinson (1995) * Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (2001) * President Mary McAleese (2004) * Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern (2008) * President Michael D. Higgins (2012)

Trade

In 2017, total trade between Argentina and Ireland totaled €500 million Euros. Argentina's main exports to Ireland include: Soybeans, Bran, Wine, other vegetables and essential oils. Ireland's main exports to Argentina include: Human or animal blood, packaged medicaments, cranes, computers and medical equipment.OEC: Irish Trade
/ref> Argentina is Ireland's third biggest trading partner in Latin America. In 2000, member nations of Mercosur (which includes Argentina) and the European Union (which includes Ireland) began negotiations on a free trade agreement.

Bilateral agreements

Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the Exchange of Tax Information and an Agreement for a Working holiday visa (2015).

Resident diplomatic missions

* Argentina has an embassy in Dublin. * Ireland has an embassy in Buenos Aires.Embassy of Ireland in Buenos Aires
/ref>

References