Sub-Commandante Marcos
The Irish in Mexico have an honourable history. If our earliest
rumoured appearance was the arrival of St. Brendan the Navigator for
a short visit in the fifth century of the current calendar, our most
celebrated - and less doubted - intervention was that of the San
Patricio Battalion, some 200 Irishmen who crossed to the Mexican side
in 1848 during the war with the US. It's impossible to be sure what
inspired their defection but it seems that reminders of a shared
faith, offers of land, and large amounts of tequila all played their
part! Kindly, the Mexicans today insist the Irish became convinced of
the justice of the Mexican cause.
Today Irish involvement in Mexico takes many forms. Although not a major trading partner, Mexico is a profitable venture for Ireland: we export far more than we import (in 1994 £61.5m worth of food, drink and other goods - the bulk being chemicals - being exported to Mexico, and only £8m imported). Irish products are not always appreciated, however: Greenpeace and other environmental organisations claim that milk powder sold to Mexico by Bord Bainne after the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster was dangerously radioactive. Irish-based multinational Smurfit also operates in Mexico. As wages are lower there than many countries in South East Asia, and labour rights severely restricted (strikes must be declared 'legal' by the government - the majority are not), economic and social instability may not stop firms from 'relocating' or expanding to Mexico.
Mexico recently opened an Embassy in Dublin, now at number 43 Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4. They are, naturally enough, on the phone (01.2600699), and they have a fax line as well (01.2600411). Ireland, in contrast, does not have an Ambassador in Mexico. Instead we have an Honourary Consul, Romulo O'Farrill Jr.. Señor O'Farrill belongs to one of Mexico's most powerful families (part of the so-called 'oligarchy') which owns various newspapers and used to have a large stake in a major TV company. His address is Avda. San Jerónimo No. 790A, Col. San Jerónimo Lidice, Deleg. Contreras, 10200 Mexico (Tel. 00.52.5.5953333, Fax 00.52.5.6835500).