Louth to mark Africa Day with a county-wide celebration of culture and community

This year’s Africa Day Louth celebrations will take place this weekend with a variety of cultural events happening across the county.

Africa Day is the annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures, and potential of the African continent. This year, Louth will join all 31 local authorities in Ireland in hosting inclusive, vibrant events that highlight African heritage, identity, and creativity.

The Louth programme includes the following events: One Africa, Many Voices: Inspiring Change, which takes place on Saturday, 24th May in Ardee (location to be confirmed). This event will feature dance performances, a fashion show, poetry, music, and cuisine representing each African country. For more information, contact Flora Okobi (office@cultureconnect.ie).

Threads of Africa: Fashion, Style, Story and Sustainability also takes place on Saturday, 24th May from 2pm-5pm at St Fechin's GAA Club, Termonfeckin. It is a day-long programme including a panel discussion on fashion, identity and sustainability, an interactive audience Q&A, an upcycling and textile workshop, a clothes swapping corner, and a live African fashion show. For more information, contact: Ejiro Strattan (info@hands4unity.org).

On Sunday, 25th May, Africa Day Celebration and African Cultural Arts Exhibition takes place at Geraldines GAA Club, Haggardstown from 4pm-7pm. This family-friendly event will include a Congolese cultural show, guest speakers on African history and literature, a special African poem presented by three children, South African dance performances, a fashion parade, and an exhibition of African visual art. For more information, contact: Adebolu Amushan (afculcentre@yahoo.com).

The launch at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin was attended by leading voices from the African diaspora in Ireland, including dancer Lapree Lala, designer Florence Olufemi-Ojo, Black and Irish podcast presenter Leon Diop, and Michael Chanda of the Discovery Gospel Choir.

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Speaking at the national launch, Minister Neale Richmond TD, said: “I am honoured to help launch this fantastic event that celebrates the rich cultures of the African continent. Ireland has growing trade, political and cultural links across Africa. There is also a large Irish African community, who are making significant contributions to our society and economy in towns and villages throughout Ireland.

“Africa Day is an opportunity to promote those links and learn more about African cultures. I am delighted that local authorities across Ireland, including Louth, will be taking part in Africa Day 2025, and I look forward to vibrant celebrations nationwide.”

For updates and the full schedule of events nationwide, visit www.AfricaDay.ie