Limerick Pride returns in 2026 with community-centred programme

'Pride in our Community' is the theme of Limerick's 2026 Pride Festival, a fitting motif.

A group of volunteers with Limerick Pride stand together at the programme launch.
Image: Limerick Pride

Limerick Pride is a volunteer-led collective advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in the Shannonside city, and their annual festival is set to return in July 2026. The theme for this year is ‘Pride in our Community’, celebrating the ongoing strength and resilience in the community, and the successful bid to host EuroPride 2028.

Lisa Daly, the Festival Director, said, “This year’s theme Pride in our Community isn’t just a slogan. It’s about those before us who paved the way, the volunteers, the organisations, the small groups, clubs, the allies who show up for us. It’s about celebrating how far we’ve come together.”

The festival will take place from July 6 to 11, with the annual parade wrapping up the week of festivities on Saturday, July 11, but not before some after-parties.

Limerick city will host an abundance of events over the week, including a whole honey pot of parties, from Gowl Haus Pharmacia on Monday, “the messiest, sexiest and campiest bitches!” to the Climax Party in Dolan’s on Saturday.

It’s not all about dancing, although there will be a lot of that. Other events lined up include comedy, drag, classes, a book club, a community café, a crafting night, and even a golfing event, PUTT IN PRIDE, encouraging a more inclusive and accessible golfing environment.

The programme of events also includes therapeutic events, talks, and a guided history tour. The University of Limerick will transform into Pride Village accommodation from July 9 to 11, for those wishing to travel to the festival.

Limerick Pride has been playing a blinder, with people coming out in droves to support the community since the noughties, having held its first official Pride night in 2001 and its first annual Pride Parade in 2007.

They expanded to a full, week-long festival the very next year, and The GALAS award-winning event has gone from strength to strength since. Regarding their recent and upcoming achievements, Limerick and West Clare will host EuroPride in 2028, making history for Ireland as the first time the event will be hosted here.

Limerick Pride have also announced their anti-AI stance on social media, advocating for the support of queer artists, which aligns with its 2026 theme of ‘Pride in our Community’, supporting community over corporations.

 

To find out more about Limerick Pride 2026, check out the official website here.

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