Africa Day 2022 events in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Padraig Conlon 24 May 2022

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council have launched Africa Day 2022 events, taking place from today, 24th to 30th of May and announced journalist, activist, broadcaster and dlr resident, Ola Majekodunmi (pictured below) as dlr’s first Africa Day Ambassador.

Africa Day celebrates the richness and diversity of African cultures and the contribution of people of African descent to Irish life.

Africa Day is an international day that commemorates the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and it falls on the 25th of May each year.

Africa Day celebrations are organised by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with African embassies in Ireland and local authorities around the country and this year is set to be the biggest-ever Africa Day celebration nationwide.

An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Lettie McCarthy on launching the dlr Africa Day events 2022 said that:

“We are delighted and very proud that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, with the support of Irish Aid are hosting an expanded programme of Africa Day events in the county this year.

“Through cookery, panel discussions, film, music, photography and a wonderful sports and family day planned, with the support and organisation of the dlr Integration Forum, our Africa Day Ambassador Ola Majekodunmi and the County Council Social Inclusion Unit, Libraries, Parks and DLR Sports Partnership, we hope that all the community will join us in celebrating African culture in dlr this week.”

Among the events planned, dlr Libraries will host a film screening of ‘Under Surveillance’ by Tina Noonan and a panel discussion afterwards on the Direct Provision system in Ireland.

‘Under Surveillance’ is a 30-minute film, performed by 8 residents from the Wicklow Grand Hotel, Direct Provision Centre and actors Kevin Olohan and Steve Hartland.

A short panel discussion will follow with the performers and the writer Tina Noonan, facilitated by author and writer, Siofra O’Donovan.

Tickets are still available with booking via Eventbrite at dlr Libraries / librarybookings@dlrcoco.ie.

dlr Libraries and the Social Inclusion Unit have also produced a YouTube video ‘Cooking from the Congo with Sephora’, a step by step guide to preparing 3 delicious dishes as an introduction to Congolese Cuisine presented by Sephora Kahongo.

Dublin South FM will celebrate Africa Day on Wednesday 25th of May with an Africa Day Special Show produced and presented by DJ Tobi – ‘Tha Radio Guy’ from 1.00p.m. – 3.00p.m.

Tobi regularly hosts an Afrobeats radio show on Dublin South FM and on Africa Day, this year, he will present a special celebration of African Music, Poetry & Culture with interviews and highlights of local and national Africa Day events and celebrations.

Tune into 93.9FM!

An Africa Day Soccer Tournament & Family Sports Day will take place in Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely, D18 W2T3 on Saturday 28th of May from 11a.m – 4p.m and everyone is welcome to attend this free family day.

The event is being organised by the dlr Integration Forum with the support of Cabinteely Football Club, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, An Garda Síochána & DLR Sports Partnership and it is hoped to become an annual event.

Six African and international nations will take part in the soccer tournament and will be presented with the inaugural dlr Africa Day Cup.

Family sports and games as well as African drumming and dancing will take place.

All are welcome to take part in this fun family and community event.

The dlr Africa Day Ambassador, Ola Majekodunmi will host an Africa Day Discussion Panel with young African Irish talent from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown including Aisha Bolaji, Karen Miano, Mercy Munyai, Joseph Ajayi, Kasim Ali Ahmed and Olamide Ojegbenro.

The live in-person event will take place on Monday 30th of May, at 6.30p.m in the Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Dún Laoghaire (IADT), Carriglea Building, Room C036. It’s a free event and booking via Eventbrite at dlr Community / community@dlrcoco.ie.

Ola Majekodunmi was born in Lagos, Nigeria and lives in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

She is a broadcaster, freelance journalist, Gaeilgeoir, public speaker, creator, co-founder of Beyond Representation and Board of Directors member of Foras na Gaeilge, Dublin Film Festival and a member of Galway Film Centre’s National Talent Academy Steering Committee.

A graduate of IADT, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are delighted that Ola is our Africa Day Ambassador for 2022.

Ola will also curate the dlr African Portraits Exhibition which will take place as part of the upcoming Festival of Inclusion in October 2022.

The Social Inclusion Unit of dlr County Council is looking for people from African countries and/or of African Heritage living in dlr to take part in our African Portraits Exhibition – portraits will be taken by Peter Cavanagh Photography and to take part, contact community@dlrcoco.ie / 01 205 4893

All Africa Day Events are free of charge to attend and further information and booking details are available from:

Siobhán Nic Gaoithín, Social Inclusion Officer & Age-Friendly Programme Manager, dlr County Council at community@dlrcoco.ie / 01 205 4893.

See full programme on dlr Events Pages here.

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