06/01/2026
๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ.
June 1st, 2026 - For Immediate Release
Albuquerque, New Mexico โ As part of an upcoming rugby tour to Ireland, the Albuquerque Aardvarks will participate in an international Mixed-Ability rugby program and cultural exchange focused on inclusion, community engagement, and the growth of rugby opportunities for all participants.
The tour will begin on August 8 with an exhibition rugby match against Terenure College RFC in Dublin, followed by a visit on August 9 to the MU Barnhall Buffaloes Mixed-Ability rugby program, for those with special needs, in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland. Additional events to take place after the two-hand tag match includes a social in the MU Barnhall club house, a cultural exchange, and a demonstration of the Irish sports of Hurling and Gaelic football. Current and past Irish rugby stars will be in attendance.
The rugby tour is supported by the Irish American Society of New Mexico and Consulate General of Ireland, Los Angeles. The experience will bring valuable insight to help efforts to expand rugby culture and inclusion in New Mexico.
Consul General of Ireland to the Southwestern United States, Caitlรญn Higgins Nรญ Chinnรฉide has welcomed the tour, saying:
โWe are delighted to hear that the Albuquerque Aardvarks will be travelling to Ireland in August and engaging with local Irish rugby clubs. This is an excellent opportunity to further grow the cultural and sporting links between Ireland and New Mexico. Sport plays an important role in fostering Irelandโs international partnerships, as outlined in our new Strategy for International Sports Diplomacy.โ
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About the Albuquerque Rugby Club:
The ABQ Rugby Club is a non-profit that features the ABQ Aardvarks and Aguilas Aztecas. The Aardvarks are one of the longest running sports clubs in NM that was established in 1973. The Aguilas Aztecas is the first Mexican-American rugby team. Their mission is to use their international notoriety to elevate and promote New Mexico both nationally and globally. The message is that rugby is for everyone and there is always opportunity to play- from youth, adult club, to international paths.
About MU Barnhall Buffaloes:
The MU Barnhall Buffaloes are the inclusive rugby division of MU Barnhall RFC, based in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland. Established in 2015, the Buffaloes provide opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in rugby in an environment centered on inclusion, teamwork, friendship, and community. Through tag and mixed-ability rugby initiatives, the Buffaloes have become recognized for promoting the values of respect, accessibility, and belonging both on and off the field.
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