But the Irish also hold a special place in the hearts of many Latin Americans, especially Mexicans. The influence of the Irish in Latin America is not widely known, though it is quite significant and begins in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. After the Great Famine (also known as the Potato Famine) in Ireland, thousands of Irish immigrants fled the country and spread to other parts of the world. Today the countries of Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico, among others, boast thriving populations of citizens with Irish ancestry.
