Athlone and Moate to mark Africa Day with colourful cultural events

Local celebrations for Africa Day are set to kick off today (Friday).

Events will be hosted across the weekend in both Moate and Athlone as part of Africa Day, an annual nationwide event which commemorates the foundation of the African Union and celebrates the people and culture of African countries.

In Athlone, Africa Day celebrations will take place on Saturday, May 24, from 1pm to 8pm in Burgess Park.

The Athlone African Community Group is organising the event, which will include a BBQ, music, cultural events and food sampling.

In Moate, Africa Day will be celebrated with a weekend of events. The events will kick off today, Friday, May 23, with a lunchtime African presentation at 1.30pm in Moate Library.

Later this evening, Tuar Ard Art Centre will host 'Echos of Africa' a free adult workshop in Art Box Studies from 6.30pm to 8pm. Pre-Booking is essential.

Tuar Art Art Centre is also the location for African Movie Night, a screening of the movie 'Half of a Yellow Sun' at 8pm. The film is based on the novel by the same name by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

On Saturday, May 25, from 2.30pm to 4pm, a Children's African Art Workshop will be hosted by Art Box Studio in Tuar Ard. This workshop is suitable for children aged six years and over, and it sure to be hugely popular with local families. No booking required.

The main event in Moate is the Africa Day and Street Feast Picnic, which will take place on Sunday, May 25, from 1pm to 6pm.

On the day, Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park transformed into a riot of colour, fun and pageantry as Africa Day is celebrated with a very diverse programme of events including a spectacular Parade of Flags.