Argentinian writer to give history talk in Banagher on local family connection

Lovers of local history are in for a treat this coming Friday (May 22) when Eduardo Garcia Saenz, a historian and sportswriter from Buenos Aires, will give a talk on his great-great-grandfather, Thomas St. George Armstrong of Banagher and Buenos Aires.

The presentation will take place in Crank House, Banagher, stating at the early time of 5pm. The event is organised by Offaly History and everyone is most welcome.

Thomas Armstrong of Argentina was a grandson of Andrew Armstrong of Garrycastle, born 1732, and second son of Thomas St George Armstrong, who was born in 1809.

In Argentina, he married Donna Justa Villanueva, a Castilian of noble birth and had four children of whom his eldest, also Thomas, purchased Garrycastle from his cousin Carteret Armstrong in 1890.

Thomas was sent by his father to Buenos Aires in 1817 to run a merchant house called Armstrong & Company. In 1826 he returned to Ireland to recruit emigrants from the Westmeath-Longford border area. In later decades he became prominent in Argentinian banking and insurance businesses.

He also engaged in the construction of railways becoming a director of several companies. A large town and its railway station was called after him in 1882, some years after his death.

His wealth and his marriage to Justa Villanueva who was the daughter of the Alcalde of Buenos Aires placed him in an influential place in Argentine politics.

Thomas made his last visit to Ireland in 1858. Now, 168 years later his great-great-grandson is coming from Argentina to Garrycastle and Banagher, a truly historic occasion.

If circumstances permit, the event will be attended by her excellency Ana Laura Cachaza, the Argentine Ambassador to Ireland. Further enquiries to James Scully at: 085 7107569.