Mayo Integration Forum held a family fun day last weekend in Claremorris. The forum comprises migrant representatives, Mayo County Development Board, Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo Intercultural Action, Mayo County Childcare Committee, and other agencies and groups. One of the main goals of the forum is to promote active integration of people from different countries of origin who chose Ireland as their home. The event was organised to encourage integration of diverse communities through active sport interaction and cultural exchange.
The family fun day was held at the Claremorris Athletic Club indoor facilities, with more than 400 people attending from communities with origins from DR Congo, Latvia, Ireland, Nigeria, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Russia, Zimbabwe, Poland, Philippines, Ghana, and Venezuela getting together to showcase their traditional food, craft, music and sport. Asylum seekers residents of the Old Convent, Ballyhaunis, who came to Ireland from different parts of the world, took active part on the day presenting their traditional food, dance, singing and wearing traditional dress of an outstanding colour and design.
A number of athletic activities was organised by Mayo Sports Partnership and the Claremorris Athletic Club for children, such as races, high jump and hurdles. Everyone got an opportunity to sample great varieties of food (most of which are now available in local ethnic shops ). Attendees also got to take part in sport activities, enjoy music, singing, chat, and dance.
