Roscrea's Africa Day at the Racket Hall: ‘Though you might be far from home, you are still home’

Five months ago, this event would not have been possible.

On Sunday, May 26, around 250 people gathered inside the Racket Hall in Roscrea to celebrate Africans Day.

The event was organised by a small committee of local African asylum seekers from the Racket Hall and Corville House.

Also in attendance were Ukrainian residents from the Sacred Heart Convent and the accommodation centre in Borrisokane, as well as a small number of locals, support staff, Cllr Michael Smith (FF) and Local Election Candidates Breandán Ó'Conchúir (SF) and Aisling Maloney (GP).

The Offaly Express sat down with the committee after the event, who told us the day was about unity, strength and sharing African culture.

“What happened today is just a testament to the fact that African culture is about unity and strength. It is about resilience, perseverance and peace.

“If you look at everything that happened today. From the north to the south to east to the west and the centre of Africa, we are all represented here, and it is to showcase one singular culture, and everybody seemed to be happy performing their part of it,” said Sunday Kenneth Aiqbe.

AFRICA DAY

From the moment you entered the Racket Hall’s function room, there was dancing.

The children who had sought sanctuary in the hotel and the visiting children were running around, and they didn’t need music to get the party started.

A steward greeted you at the door and helped you to find a seat; “wherever you are comfortable,” he said.

Africa Day sees events held in counties all around Ireland.

The aim is to celebrate all the different aspects of the continent and the people who come from it to live in Ireland.

“It is something that has to do with… these are people who have come to stay with us, and we need to find a way to celebrate who they are and appreciate them for who they are,” said Kenneth.

The event began with speakers, both Irish and African, who spoke about the continent of Africa, coming to Ireland and learning about new people.

The audience for Africa Day at the former Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea

One Irish speaker spoke about a trip she had taken Mawai years ago and how enchanting an experience that had been.

Groups of children performed dance routines on stage and played the drums alongside the adults.

Precious Okoeguale told us that the children rehearsed for weeks and looked forward to it every day.

“They loved rehearsing every day. When they wake up in the morning, the first thing they ask you is ‘Are we rehearsing today and it's like yeah, what time?- five o’clock?’

“At five minutes to five they are already there like, ‘What are you doing? Are you still cooking? We are waiting for you. Can you come down?’

“They were like this morning, can we rehearse this morning? I was busy. ‘Can you give me time to get myself as well,” said Precious.

She continued: “So, they were always happy to rehearse, and they were looking forward to this day, and you could see the excitement on their faces, the smiles and the joy. The body language you can tell was everything.”

A group of adults performed a small play. The committee said that with all the talent at the centres, it was easy to choose who would perform, and everyone participated voluntarily.

The audience was treated to the stylings of Hakuna Matata Acrobats Ali (Kenya) and Aziz (Somalia) who travelled from Cork.

At one point, an acrobat’s daughter stood on her father’s shoulders while he stood on his partners.

It was a sight you would have to see to believe and the audience was captivated.

The children in attendance at the event got their turn and performed some acrobatic moves of their own.

Ten women from the centre prepared traditional dishes for the event and served guests.

Performers at Africa Day in the former Racket Hall Hotel

“Now, I want to compliment the women because… women are very united, but sometimes you see them in disagreement, but in this event, you could see the women working together to achieve one aim and goal.

“That is why you see the beauty of today’s event. The women’s strength was top-notch. They did excellently very well, and I want to give them good kudos for that. It’s in the food.

“It took them a lot of energy and dedication and yeah the commitment, they did excellently well,” said Osmayimen.
When the meal was done, the cake was cut, and the award ceremony began.

There were best-dressed prizes for children, women and men and an award given to the winning team of a football tournament held on Friday.

Cllr Michael Smith and his wife Mary presented some of the awards as well as enjoying the day’s festivities.

“The reason we are celebrating it is the fact that we have been accepted into Ireland.

“Though we are far away from home, we need to bring that sense of belonging and say oh no matter what country you are coming from we are one individual family.

“That is why the entire African community say ‘Ok fine let’s have an African day to celebrate who we are, what we stand for and what we believe in.’

“To see the level of strength that has been put in the activity and the level of love and reliance and the display of culture and heritage from the Hakuna Matata to the different dances, the Zimbabwe Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Somalia, so, it’s just like to remind ourselves that though you might be far from home, you are still home,” said Kenneth.

PROTESTS

The protests at the Racket Hall started in January and lasted ten weeks. Local people, as well as right-wing demonstrators, camped outside the hotel following an announcement from Jackie Cahill that 160 asylum seekers would be housed at the hotel on January 11.

Families entering the hotel, who were women and children, witnessed upset locals and clashes with gardaí.

The authorities and Government failed to address the situation and the anger spread across the country like wildfire.

The protests were disbanded in March. But on Sunday, there was no commotion, just a lot of fun.

The residents we spoke to told us that what they want is acceptance. Right now, they are living alongside people from all different cultures, and they do so in peace and friendship.

“As a matter of fact. The Africans are the most domineering, and if we are not peace-loving people, you would have heard one or two stories.

“But trust me we all live together like brothers and sisters in harmony and peace. We look out for each other and I mean it has been amazing.

Children perform during Africa Day celebrations in Roscrea 

“We have been here for a couple of months, trust me it has been amazing,” said Osmayimen.

We asked the committee if they worried on Sunday about letting people in for the first time. In unison, they said no, they were excited to show what they had to offer.

“It was even more fun having. Because some of them are going back with a different experience, to say ‘Oh you know this is wonderful.’ We have had it said this is wonderful and ‘You guys are doing great’ and we take it as a compliment, and we really do appreciate that, and it's nice, said Kenneth.

Two of the men we spoke to who are from Nigeria told us they teach English to Ukrainian families.

The centre’s General Manager Gerry Lavin said they have people volunteering in businesses and groups around Roscrea.

And Tidy Towns, another member of the committee pointed out.

Many of the residents who have been in Roscrea for more than six months work. Others will be permitted to work soon enough.

“Just to add to that, we came from, there about 54 countries that make up Africa as a continent. We embrace peace, unity and love. We welcome everyone. And if Ireland receives us, we promise we will bring that back to the society of Ireland, said Morris Andojie Okoeguale.

THE FUTURE

That is where the new residents of Roscrea’s thoughts are getting out and into the community.

“In regards to that, where we are coming from as Nigerians as Africans as a whole we are known to be hard working.
“We are looking for an opportunity to get into the working system as soon as possible. We want
to get working. We want to get settled.

“If you give us that environment, we are going to run with it,” said Osmayimen.

Kenneth added: “And also for so many of us, we are also an average African person who does not believe in going somewhere isolated, and that is why you can see the level of integration.

“So, as African people represented here, we want to be accepted. We want to integrate, so we want that acceptance.

“Once that’s done, everything else follows. Development, you know initiative, contribution to society, hard work. Everything will follow, but first, we need to be accepted.

“Just like you said, five months ago, there were a lot of kind of one or two protests, but now we are a bit comfortable that now they are beginning to accept us and we really do appreciate that.”