With Pride season starting soon, festivities are beginning all over Ireland. June 15 will see the return of County Meath’s Navan Pride festival. Running until June 20, the festival features multiple community events, activities and discussions.

Being the largest town in Meath, Navan is gearing up to welcome the LGBTQ+ community in the county for a very special Pride festival. The celebrations are being sponsored by Specsavers, Forte’s (Valley Café) and the Credit Union. 

According to organisers, “countless other businesses in the town and from further afield” and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are lending a hand in funding and organising the event.

Once again, the event’s charity partner is Meath’s Women’s Refuge, Willow. Two charity fundraisers are to be hosted at the festival, where all proceeds raised will go directly towards Willow.

Multiple other events will take place over the week, such as a showing of Wicked: For Good in The Solstice and the Navan Pride Quiz Fundraiser with MC Joe Rooney at The Vintage Lounge, where participants can expect LGBTQ+ themed quizzes, a raffle and great vibes.

Drag Bingo with Victoria Secret in Jackal will feature “glam, games and glitter guaranteed!”. According to organisers, “This is always packed to the rafters, so book a table early!”.

While some events are free, many have limited space, with paid events ranging from €5 to €10 per ticket.

The star of the entire week, however, will be the annual parade, which is set to start at 2pm on Saturday, June 20. This year’s grand marshal is Castleown-born and Mercy-educated Ann Marie Toole, an LGBTQ+ activist and the clinical director with Insight Matters. 

Afterwards, people can pop into Henry Loughran’s to watch live performances from Spin-Itch, Messy Avocado, DJ Alex L, Dark Marx and headliners Abba tribute band Mama Mia!.

Navan Pride 2026 is the third celebration of the festival, which is now spearheaded by a new Chairperson, Sean Flood.

Flood said, “I am truly honoured to have been selected to take on the role of chair as a young member of the LGBTQIA+ community and I will support not only the LGBTQIA+ community, but also the township of Navan.”

Other members of the community, including event manager Manita Mewa and founder/former-chairperson Patrick Lawlor, have also been instrumental in organising the festivities.

Mewa stated, “I take on this role with respect for the lived experiences at the heart of the movement. Allyship is an active responsibility that requires listening, learning and showing up consistently.”

Patrick ‘Paddy’ Lawlor has dropped some breadcrumbs for something to be excited for. Lawlor said, “We may have a surprise or two in store this year too.”

Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Lawlor added, “Pride conquers shame and we want our LGBT+ community in Navan and Meath to feel like they are seen and heard, especially in these fractious and political times of culture wars, so join us for another amazing festival.”

If you are interested in following the event, organisers are consistently posting updates and information on Instagram.