May 28, 2026

Africa Day 2026: Lisdoonvarna Comes Alive with Culture, Food, and Dance

This year’s Africa Day celebration in Lisdoonvarna was a truly memorable occasion — a vibrant, joyful, and warmly inclusive event that brought together people from across the community to celebrate the richness and diversity of African culture.

Organised in partnership between Clare Local Development Company (CLDC), in partnership with the Clare Immigrant Support Centre, and the Clare County Council Integration Team, the event was part of a nationwide programme of Africa Day 2026 celebrations taking place in every county across Ireland. At the heart of it all was the African community itself — and their contribution made the day truly special.

A Feast of African Flavours

Food took centre stage on the day, with members of the African community in Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan preparing and sharing dishes from their home countries. From flavourful jollof rice to fried rice, the homemade spread gave attendees a genuine and delicious taste of Africa.

“I would especially like to thank the African community in Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan who cooked all the food for today’s beautiful event,” said Anneli Vaughan, SICAP Community Development Worker at CLDC. “I’m a big fan of the jollof rice — as long as they take it handy with the chili — and then the fried rice as well. And obviously the ice cream and popcorn, I’ve sampled it all!”

Dance, Music, and Pure Joy

The event was alive with energy from start to finish. Energetic African dances filled the venue with rhythm, colour, and connection, drawing attendees of all ages and backgrounds onto the floor.

“My favourite moment was seeing everyone up and dancing,” said Simon Ó Treasaigh, one of the organisers. “I walked in and I saw everyone up on the dance floor at the centre of the room, dancing away — and that’s brilliant because it means they can let their hair down, have some fun, and it means the event’s going well as far as I’m concerned.”

A Celebration for Everyone

Africa Day in Lisdoonvarna has always been an open and inclusive occasion — and 2026 was no different. As Anneli Vaughan added: “This is an event for the whole community. It’s not just for the African community. Everyone is invited, and that’s what I love.”

For attendees from the African community, the day carried deep personal meaning. One attendee from Nigeria spoke of its significance: “Today is a special day to me because it’s a reflection of who I am, where I am from, and my belief in my country.”

Padraig McMahon captured the spirit of the afternoon: “It’s important that people get to celebrate their identity and their culture, and it’s important for people to come together and mix and integrate. Here today we have people from many different nationalities, and they all got to celebrate Africa Day together.”

Part of CLDC’s Commitment to Integration

Africa Day in Lisdoonvarna reflects the broader work that CLDC carries out every day across County Clare through its New Arrivals to Ireland programme under SICAP. This initiative supports people who have recently come to live in Clare by connecting them with local community groups, cultural organisations, and social networks, fostering a genuine sense of belonging and inclusion.

Through initiatives like Fáilte Isteach, CLDC also provides free, volunteer-led conversational English classes designed to build language skills and confidence in a welcoming environment. Events like Africa Day are a natural extension of this work — creating spaces where people from all backgrounds can celebrate their identities and build lasting connections with the wider community.

Get Involved

Are you a new arrival to County Clare, or would you like to get involved in community events and integration programmes in your area? CLDC’s dedicated team is here to help:

  • Alina Senkova – SICAP Intercultural Worker | asenkova@cldc.ie | 087 188 3114
  • Anneli Vaughan – SICAP Community Development Worker | avaughan@cldc.ie | 087 188 2778

👉 Find out more: cldc.ie/new-arrivals-to-ireland