Hundreds flocked to family fun evening for Carrick-on-Suir's African community

Winners of the African Dress Contest from Left: Bridgewater House Community Liaison Officer Martina Walsh, Wumi Ibrahim (3rd), Tom O'Keeffe, Friends of Bridgewater House Chairman, Atalia Mlilo (1st) and Sibongile Mashemgele (2nd).

Carrick-on-Suir’s African community celebrated their culture in style with a family fun evening at Carrick Davins GAA Club’s grounds on Friday evening, May 24.

The event, attended by about 300 people, was organised by the Friends of Bridgewater House Committee to mark national Africa Day.

Many local people joined with the town’s African community in taking part in the social evening of entertainment that was blessed with good weather.

There were plenty of fun activities lined up for children ranging from a bouncy castle and slide to Sumo suits, face painting and a sweet trolley laden with treats.

A DJ played African music, soccer enthusiasts enjoyed a kick around and there was a keenly contested African Dress competition, which was won by Atalia Mlilo.

The Friends of Bridgewater House Committee ran an art competition on the theme of Africa in local primary and secondary schools to coincide with its Africa Day celebration.

Prizes were presented to the winning young artists at the family fun evening.

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 is the third year the Africa Day family fun evening has taken place at the club.

Martina also thanked Margo Hayes of Tipperary County Council’s Economic Community & Social Inclusion Section for organising Irish Aid funding for the family fun evening.

Martina revealed the Friends of Bridgewater House Committee has been nominated by Tipperary County Council for a national Pride of Place award in the Inclusive Communities category. The Committee of local volunteers helps asylum seekers residing at Carrick-on-Suir’s direct provision centre to integrate into the local community.

“We wish to thank Angela Sheehan of the Council's Economic, Community & Rural Development section for the nomination. We really appreciate the recognition,” she said.

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.