Carrick-on-Suir's Africa Day celebration featured a feast of food, fun, games and music

African culture was centre stage at a family fun evening at Carrick Davins GAA Club grounds on Friday, May 23.

More than 350 people enjoyed the social evening organised by the Friends of Bridgewater House Committee to mark Africa Day.

The town’s African community, many of whom are residents or former residents of Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre on Main Street, were joined by many local people at the celebration.

The event was blessed with glorious summer weather. There were plenty of fun activities lined up for children ranging from bouncy castles, face painting and hair braiding to a sweet trolley.

Folarin Damilola, Bunmi Oluwatuyi and Martina Walsh, Community Liaison Officer for Bridgewater House with some delicious dishes at the African Day celebrations. Photo Anne Marie Magorrian

There were stalls laden with African food and African DJ Wise One entertained the crowd.

Visitors were invited to try out the African tradition of carrying a pot on your head and to try on African costumes.
Preety Ramkissoom won the Best Dressed competition while Mercy Ukaegbu won the African themed art competition.

Bridgewater House Community Liaison Officer Martina Walsh thanked all who attended the Africa Day celebration, all who helped to organise it and Carrick Davins GAA Club for allowing the use of its astroturf pitch for the occasion.

This was the fourth year of Carrick-on-Suir’s Africa Day celebration, which was supported by Irish Aid.

Shane Comerford from Carrickbeg dressing up in African clothes at the Africa Day Family Fun Day. Picture Noreen Duggan

Helen Tobin in traditional African dress balances a pot on her head. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian

Check out more photos from Carrick-on-Suir's Africa Day celebration in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops. 

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