Kilkenny feast to celebrate Africa Day 2023

Africa Day 2023 is to be celebrated in Kilkenny this month, hosted by an amalgamation of the African nationalities in the local community.

The flagship Africa Day 2023 event in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin has also been announced, with almost 40 performers, artists and organisations set to take part in a special celebration of African cultures.

In Kilkenny City, the Kilkenny Global Kitchen run by Kilkenny Leader Partnership will host an amalgamation of African nationalities who are based in Kilkenny on Saturday, May 27, from 12 noon to 4pm. The Global Kitchen event will be held at the Home Rule Club.

Events are also taking place in neighbouring counties - In Carlow there will be music, drumming, theatre, food, art, education activities for families at The Exchange, Potato Market, on Thursday, May 25, from 12noon to 3pm and again from 6pm to 9pm.

Jam, tarts and eggs stolen from honesty box in Kilkenny

In Waterford there will be music, dance, theatre, a street food market, children’s workshops, African crafts display and produce stalls at the Culture and Community Hub, Waterford City, on Saturday, 27 May.

Events are taking place in every county. CLICK HERE for all details.

The line-up for the flagship Africa Day 2023 event in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin will have headline acts including Galway-born artist and one of the most exciting names in the Irish hip-hop and rap scene Celaviedmai, alongside the Discovery Choir, Rhythm Africana, Kiruu, SBEZ, Troy Okay and Monte DJ.

Inside the historical courtyard of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in the dance and spoken word area, multidisciplinary movement artist Tobi Balogun, No Whahala Crew, the Zoryanna, Iggy Kelly, the Congolese Community in Ireland, and more will take to the stage. 

Bulmers 'Secret Orchard' gig to take place in Kilkenny this weekend

The event will also see more than 20 organisations take part in a ‘cultural village’ to showcase art and culture from across Africa. Among those participating in the cultural village are the Uganda Association of Ireland, AkiDwA: Migrant Women's Advocacy Network, Zambia Ireland Association, Image of Africa, Gospel Music Ireland and the Association of Tanzanians in Ireland and many more.

Africa Day at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with Dublin City Council. In addition to the Kilmainham event, the Department of Foreign Affairs is funding 30 Local Authorities to host a wide range of cultural, artistic and family-friendly events celebrating Africa Day. These will include contemporary African/Irish culture, as well as family fun days, fashion, art, film, music, dance and food events, which will take place in towns and cities across Ireland.

Celaviedmai, hip-hop and rap singer, said: “I'm so proud to be Irish but to have heritage somewhere so beautiful like Ivory Coast is extra special. Africa Day is a way to mark the place where our families and heritage originate from and show appreciation and love to our ancestors. Not only will this day allow us to showcase our work, talent and art, it will unify us .This is a celebration that will allow us to move in strength, unity, love and joy and I’m so grateful to be a part of something so special."

Tobi Balogun, multidisciplinary artist said: “Africa Day is a coming together of the vibrant, diverse cultures from the African continent present in Ireland. Growing up in Ireland from young, being African/Irish wasn’t always seen as a celebratory thing. So over the years it’s been incredible to see communities be able to come together, share their culture and their uniqueness with each other as well as the larger Irish community. It is a great celebration of all the valuable, positive impact these cultures have had on Ireland. Creatively, through music, fashion, dance and within communities also. I will be in attendance as I have been in previous years and am looking forward to the performances, the food, the vibrant clothing."

Peter Donovan, was a master silversmith and gifted teacher

A devoted family man Peter was recognised internationally for his skills

Umoja Linn fashion retail site co-owners China Soribe and Liswa McDonald said: “As Africans in the diaspora, we are proud to take part in the annual celebrations of Africa Day. For us, Africa Day is an opportunity to intentionally celebrate African diversity and success. Africa is endowed with diverse cultural heritage and with that comes the beautiful prints and styles which us at Umoja linn celebrate proudly and are honoured to share with the world. As we celebrate our beautiful continent through its audacious prints, vibrant music, and delicious food, we also get a chance to highlight the economic potential that exists within Africa, and while we do all this throughout the year, for Africa Day we are intentionally in the forefront!”

For more information visit:

Website- www.AfricaDay.ie
Twitter- @AfricaDay
Instagram- @africadayireland
Facebook- Africa Day