Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes has launched the nationwide programme of events for Africa Day 2024.

Lopes joined with Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD, dancer Lapree Lala, designer Virtue Shine and singer Michael Chanda to launch a programme that will see Africa Day events take place in every county in Ireland this May. The flagship event will be a family day at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham (RHK) on Sunday May 19^th, which will see over 50 musical acts, dancers and cultural groups from all over Africa take part.

The Hoops’ captain, who plays international football for Cape Verde, has been a long-standing Ambassador for Africa Day, which celebrates the growing economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and Africa.

Irish Aid works with local authorities across Ireland to stage Africa Day event. In addition to the RHK event, a number of events are being organised in the Tallaght area by South Dublin County Council. On Saturday May 18^th an Africa Day festival will take place in Tymon Park, featuring live music dance and drumming workshops, while on Friday May 24^th Rua Red in Tallaght will host African history lessons.

A list of events taking place nationwide can be found at AfricaDay.ie.

Pictured at the Africa Day 2024 event programme launch at IMMA at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham were: Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming T.D., dancer Lapree Lala, designer Virtue Shine, footballer Roberto Lopes, and Michael Chanda from the Discovery Gospel Choir.