SNIPPET: Argentina provided a minor destination for Irish emigration during the 19th century, receiving a total of around 7,000 settlers up to 1870, and another 3,600 by 1895. The prominence among these settlers of migrants from Cos. Westmeath, Longford and Wexford suggests a classic pattern of chain migration, in which existing settlers encouraged and assisted the arrival of relatives and former neighbours. Up to circa 1870, Irish settlers were in many cases able to build up substantial cattle ranches in a rapidly expanding economy; thereafter this type of spectacular upward mobility became more difficult to achieve.