It’s been a long time coming, friends, but finally, Dublin saw the return of its Pride parade after its two-year absence during the pandemic.

An estimated 50,000 proud LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered in Dublin city centre to celebrate what, for many, is the highlight of Pride month; the extravagant and fantastical rainbow parade that boasts all the fabulousness of our community.

This year, GCN had the privilege of marching in the parade from the Spire on O’Connell Street to the Merrion Square, where Pride Village was situated, complete with main stage, family zone, community zone, neuro zone (a quiet spot of refuge for those who needed a sensory break) and more.

So amazing to be marching with @GCNmag @nxfie today at @DublinPride ! Pride is a celebration and a protest!!!#Pride2022 #pride #LGBTQIA pic.twitter.com/z3SKtUGUWW

— Steve Jacques (@srjacques1) June 25, 2022

GCN sported a 3D pink triangle float atop a rainbow base that read “Pride is a protest – keep loving, keep fighting”. Your local queer press was joined in the parade by all of Ireland’s most beloved LGBTQ+ organisations including the NXF, LGBT Ireland, BeLonG To, TENI, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin, Midlands LGBT+ Project, Outhouse, Shout Out, MPower, Dublin Lesbian Line, Running Amach and more.

Thousands flocked to the event to mark the occasion, after what’s been a particularly harrowing year for our community, turning the streets of Dublin into an explosion of colour. For many, the parade was a catwalk, with marchers modelling in drag, feathered wings, wedding gowns, dog masks, outfits of leather and all the colours of the rainbow.

Pride Grand Marshall Rebecca Tallon de Havilland was stunning as ever and led the event with her usual fierceness and infectious energy. She opened proceedings at Pride Village by taking to the main stage and calling on our community as a whole to support Trans people.

“It’s such an honour to be here as Grand Marshall,” Rebecca said to the cheering crowd. “And I’ve waited a long time to come home, thirty-five years … And it really is important that you remember that Trans lives matter.” The crowd roared in agreement as she continued, “So basically, you’ve got to support us; you’ve got to stick by us and you’ve got to be allies. Who’s an ally?” Again, the delighted festival-goers cried out in support.

Despite some minor delays, due to the huge turnout, the long-awaited return of Dublin Pride was nothing but a major success, with delighted participants sharing this year’s message of courage far and wide.

Solidarity from Ireland. The cops repressed our Radical Queer Pride on Saturday with harassment and physical force, while the mainstream corporate Pride just passed us by. A gay cop is still a cop!

— Radical Queer Pride Ireland (@RadicalPride) June 27, 2022

Queer Radical Pride also took place on the same day. Unfortunately, organisers are alleging that arrests were made as they protested the presence of Gardaí at the Dublin Pride parade.