Africa Day is coming to Kildare 

The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond TD, has launched the nationwide programme of events for Africa Day 2026.

This year’s Africa Day Kildare is taking place from May 11-June 30.

As part of Africa Day Kildare, the following event is planned:

•  Africa Day Monasterevin - Saturday, 23 May 2026, 1pm to 5pm - Monasterevin Community Centre

• Sallins/Naas Africa Day Event - Saturday, 26 May 2026, 1pm to 6pm - Castlefen Community Centre, Sallins, Co. Kildare

• The African Within Us - Saturday, 30 May 2026, 1pm to 6pm - Leixlip Youth and Community Centre Newtown, Captains Hill, Leixlip, W23 T8W5

• Africa Day Celebrations

• • Celbridge Library - Monday, May 11 - Saturday, May 23

  • Kilcock Library - Saturday, May 23 - Friday, June 5

  • Maynooth University - Tuesday, May 26

  • Maynooth Community Library - Saturday June 13

  • Leixlip Library - Tuesday, June 2 – Tuesday, June 30

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Africa Day will be celebrated with a series of events taking place nationwide. Local Authorities across Ireland are set to host a range of cultural, artistic, and family-friendly events.

These will include contemporary African Irish cultural events, as well as family fun days, fashion, art, film, music, dance and food events, which will take place in towns and cities across Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Neale Richmond, T.D said: “Africa Day is an opportunity to promote the growing trade, political and cultural links between Ireland and countries across Africa.

“The potential for this relationship over the coming years is enormous. Trade between Ireland and countries across Africa stands at approximately €9 billion annually and is growing all the time. Ireland’s agri-food exports to Africa alone rose by 9% last year and are now worth almost €1 billion annually.

“Africa Day marks these growing connections between Ireland and countries across Africa. It celebrates the impact people in Ireland have had across Africa as well as the huge contribution people with African heritage make to our cities, towns and villages each and every day.

“I’m delighted to see so many of our local authorities host events across the country to help build knowledge and celebrate our links and its potential in the years ahead.”

Minister Richmond was joined at the launch by representatives of the African diaspora community in Ireland, including dancer Lapree Lala, and dance group Southside Moves at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

For more information visit:  www.AfricaDay.ie | Instagram - @africadayireland | Facebook - Africa Day