PUBLISHED | 07.09.2023 |
READING TIME | 8 |
In one last burst of fabulous weather for the summer, 3500 people from Dublin 3 (and beyond) came out on Saturday 7th October to partake in a Family Fun Day in Bram Stoker Park, Fairview. Hosted by Dublin Bay North for All, Bessborough East Wall Football Club and Cross Cultural Conversations with Dublin City Council, the afternoon was envisaged as a positive opportunity to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and solidarity within the local area, and to highlight it as a place of welcome for newcomers to our community.


With the support of the Dublin City Council Social Inclusion Unit and Limelight Communications, the event was organised with great enthusiasm and in an incredible turn around. Members of Dublin Bay North for All, Bessborough East Wall Football Club and Cross Cultural Conversations promoted the event to local people in Fairview, Ballybough, North Strand East Wall, Clontarf and Marino through leafleting, sharing details on social media or in parents’ WhatsApp groups, and with the kind assistance of local businesses who displayed posters advertising the Family Fun Day. As it was important to draw together the diversity of all who live Dublin 3 local areas, a particular effort was made to extend invitations to families living in Direct Provision centres in the locality , as well as to schools, boxing, football and GAA clubs, community associations and groups, and to members of the Traveller and LGBT communities.
Visitors on the day were treated to live music and dance, compered by our marvellous mc’ees Abdul and Portia. Performances included acts from Ceoltóirí Chluain Tarbh, Yves Lorrihan, Daniel Ennis and Emmet Brennan of FightR Boxing Club, traditional Mongolian music from Bodaa, SHS Fitness Thomas, the Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club Ukelele Group, a Bolivian dance group, Sorcha Ní Scolai, and Justine Nantale. A particular highlight of the afternoon’s entertainment was when lots of the event’s smaller visitors came up on stage to do a demo of classic hits like the Cha Cha Slide and the Macarena!
Between the live acts, amusements, sports and games, face painting, demos from the Masamba Samba School, arts and crafts, and oodles of ice cream, there was something for everyone. The day proved to be a heartening demonstration of the strengths of the community coming together to enjoy each other’s company and to learn from each other.
We look forward to organising more community events.


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