Arklow Celebrates Spanish Culture With A Tapas Night Featuring A Wicklow Naturally Twist
Arklow celebrated Ireland’s EU Presidency and its twinning connection with Spain by hosting a special event titled “Tapas Night with a Wicklow Twist.” This event took place at Arklow Library on Thursday, 22nd October and highlighted Spanish culture, food and community. Guest chef Paul Smith, a Wicklow Naturally Ambassador, skillfully combined the flavours of Spanish cuisine with the finest local Wicklow produce creating a unique culinary experience.
This event was part of the celebrations honouring Ireland’s EU Presidency and Wicklow’s twinning connection with Spain. It provided an opportunity to celebrate cultural ties through food and community engagement.
Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, Cllr. Peir Leonard, said: “Celebrating different cultures helps us to recognise what we share while appreciating the traditions that make each community unique. I am delighted to see activities for both adults and children, giving the whole community an opportunity to take part in these celebrations.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman, added: “Events like this are a wonderful way to bring communities together and celebrate the cultural connections that enrich our county. It is particularly encouraging to see Arklow Municipal District and Arklow Library engaging people of all ages through activities that promote cultural awareness, language learning and community participation.”
The tapas evening was part of a wider program of activities organised by Arklow Municipal District and Arklow Library to celebrate Spanish culture and encourage community involvement. Free weekly Spanish language classes for adults were a great success and quickly filled up. Additionally, younger visitors to the library were invited to participate in a Spanish Fiesta Passport activity, which encouraged children to explore Spanish culture in a fun and engaging way.
Future plans include offering Spanish classes for children through local schools as well as a Flamenco themed art class for adults. These initiatives highlight the importance of cultural exchange, language learning, and community engagement, providing opportunities for all ages to learn more about Spain while strengthening connections with Wicklow.Arklow Municipal District and Arklow Library were delighted to provide these activities to the community and celebrate the connection between Spanish inspiration and Wicklow flavours.