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Looking forward to Africa Day in the Town Park on May 26 were Deo Takatumuna, Sean Lyons of TIRC, Fatima Mahamed, Mary Carroll of TIRC and Fr Amos. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE International Resource Centre (TIRC), Killarney Immigrant Support Centre (KASI) and the African community in Kerry (AFCOM) are celebrating Africa day with a big day of celebration in Tralee Town Park.
The three groups are organising an African party for the entire county, on Sunday, May 26 which will bring together different African cultures and traditions and hopefully bring together international and local communities across Kerry.
Everyone, from young to the old, is invited to attend the fun family day out that will showcase a different culture and provide plenty of entertainment.
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The event will celebrate traditional African food and African drumming and Tralee Town Park will host Africa-themed displays. Many of those from Africa, now living in Kerry, will showcase their traditional African dress.
The family fun event will also have a DJ, face-painting, bouncy castles and games, in what promises to be a truly multi-cultural event for all to enjoy. Africa day will be opened by Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O’Brien, at 2pm.
Co-ordinator of TIRC, Mary Carroll, said, “this day is an opportunity to celebrate African diversity and success and join Africans around the world in highlighting the cultural and social energy of the continent. And importantly it will support integration and inclusion by bringing different cultures and communities together.”
“This type of initiative is more than just good fun, it is about raising awareness and encouraging integration as the different communities come together. Music, games and food is a fun way to achieve this very important goal. It makes us realise what we have in common; we all have families, we enjoy our children having a fun day out, we like nice food, music and laughter is appreciated by us all.”
Mary continued; “This is our third time holding an event like this, and each year it gets bigger and better! In the past years it was wonderful to see so many people coming to try African food, and learning so much about the different cultures, and meeting and talking together, in a fun way. The African drumming is always a highlight at the event also.”
Africa day runs from 2pm-5pm on Sunday May 26 and everyone is urged to come along to this family fun event that will be both educational and entertaining.
The event, which was officially launched this week, is supported by Funding from Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs, facilitated through Kerry County Council.
The organisers are very grateful for the use of Tralee Town Park and for all the help from local groups and businesses including Sean Murphy Electrical contractor.
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