Africa Day celebrated in Carrick-on-Suir with fun-filled evening at Davins GAA Club grounds

Caption for picture above: Enjoying the Africa Day Family Fun Evening in Carrick-on-Suir were front from left: Joy Ogunmola, Michele, Chiturura Precious, Victory and Josie Woha, Bridgewater House Community Liasion Officer Martina Walsh, Back: Daniella Mujinga, Friends of Bridgewater House Group members Marie Fitzpatrick, Aine Donnelly and Chairman Tom O’Keeffe. Picture Noreen Duggan. 

The rich culture of Carrick-on-Suir’s African community was celebrated in exuberant style at a family fun evening in the town’s Davins GAA Club grounds where the continent’s food, dress and music were showcased.

The event to mark national Africa Day was enjoyed by many local people as well as the town’s African population, many of whom reside at Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre on Main Street.

The Friends of Bridgewater House Group organised the Africa Day celebratino that took place at the Davins Club’s astro-turf pitch on Friday, May 26, a day like many in recent weeks blessed with hot, sunny weather.
Bouncy castles, balloon making, face painting, arts and crafts workshops as well as sports led by Niall Ryan of Carrick-on-Suir AC were among the array of attractions laid on for the fun evening.

A highlight of the kids entertainment was magician Ken Cusack’s show which drew a large crowd.

A DJ played African music, and there was an opportunity to try out African drumming on a variety of drums. Members of the local African community also cooked some traditional dishes from their native counties. Catherine Koumaako, who is originally from Togo, won the best dressed competition while Mikaela Qefa won the children’s art competition.

Bridgewater House Community Liaison Officer Martina Walsh, who is also involved in the Friends of Bridgewater House Group, said there was a great turnout of local people and members of the African community to the family fun evening and the weather was great for the occasion.

She thanked everyone involved in organising the Africa Day celebration and all who attended the event.
Martina also paid tribute to Carrick Davins GAA Club for allowing the use of its grounds for the event and Tipperary County Council for providing funding to assist with staging the celebration.

Martina and her fellow members of the Friends of Bridgewater House are now organising a summer programme for the 70 children who live at Carrick-on-Suir’s direct provision centre.

A trip to Splashworld in Tramore, a local hike, circuit training, a photography camp for older children and nature trail camp for younger children are among the fun activities and outings being planned.

Check out more of Noreen Duggan's photographs from the Africa Day celebration at Carrick-on-Suir's Davins GAA Club in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.