The Irish Community of Latin America is a diverse one, with a history spanning back hundreds of years. Argentina, home to a million Irish Descendants, can trace the likes of Admiral William Brown and Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara Lynch back to the Emerald Isle.

Chile, meanwhile, was led by Bernardo O’Higgins in its war of independence against Spain. His Sligo-born father, Ambrosio, once served as viceroy of Peru. In Mexico, Zorro was based on Wexford man William Lamport, while the Saint Patrick’s Battalion is famous for switching sides during the Mexican–American War.

Of course, the Irish influence in Latin America doesn’t end there. Irish woman Eliza Lynch once owned a third of the land in Paraguay, while independence leaders from Cuba to Uruguay were known to hold Irish blood.

In recent years, Ireland and Latin America have enjoyed a golden era in their relationship, thanks to waves of bilateral migration, increased cultural connections and trade links.