dlr launch Africa Day 2026 programme

This year, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown will host the largest Africa Day celebration to date held in the county with a large-scale family event taking place in Dún Laoghaire People’s Park on Sunday 24 May from 1-4p.m to celebrate African culture organised by the dlr Local Authority Integration Team (dlr LAIT).  A packed programme with local and national performers will showcase music, drumming, dancing, spoken word with marquee and outdoor dance performances, workshops, sports & children’s events – all free of charge celebrating the diversity of African cultures.
 
Rosemount Family Resource Centre will host their annual Africa Day event on Thursday 21st May in 3 Waldemar Terrace, Dundrum from 11-1p.m with BBQ, music, African dress, drumming and dancing and all are welcome to attend. 
 
Cuala GAA, Hyde Park, Dalkey will host an Africa Day boys football tournament on Saturday 23rd May and the event is organised in conjunction with dlr Integration Forum, dlr Sports Partnership, DDLETB & dlr LAIT. 
 
Africa Day events take place nationwide in every local authority supported and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and celebrates the people and culture of African countries. Africa Day is an international day that commemorates the foundation of the African Union and celebrates the people and culture of African countries in and around the 25th May annually.

Speaking at the launch, An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Jim Gildea, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: 
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“I am delighted that Africa Day celebrations will be taking place in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown again this year with a wonderful family day planned in Dún Laoghaire People’s Park; the annual Rosemount Family Resource Centre’s Africa Day celebration in Dundrum and the dlr Integration Forum & Cuala GAA sports event.  
We would like to thank all the organisations and community groups and the dlr Local Authority Integration Team for organising these celebrations. I would also encourage everyone to attend the events and activities planned to celebrate and promote African culture as well as the huge contribution people with African heritage make in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown each and every day.”

 
 
 Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran said: 
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“Africa Day celebrations mark the growing connections between Ireland and countries across Africa. Ireland has growing trade, political and cultural links with Africa and significant people-to-people links with a growing population in Ireland of people with African heritage, while over 35,000 Irish citizens live in South Africa alone. Africa Day events are an opportunity to promote these links and learn more about the diversity and vibrancy of African cultures.
We are extremely grateful to the support received from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade as well as the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Local Authority Integration Team and the dlr Creative Ireland Programme in funding the annual dlr Africa day programme and we look forward to seeing you at the events during May.”

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For the full programme of performers and events for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Africa day, visit www.dlrcoco.ie/dlr-events / Eventbrite HERE 
For more information on events across Ireland, visit: www.AfricaDay.ie 
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