As rainbow flags and glitter begin to be cleaned up from the streets of Dublin, it can be normal to feel gloomy after a fun Pride weekend. One way to lift your spirits is to think about all the wonderful celebration of queer life that will continue to take place around Ireland this summer!
Local organisations around the country are working incredibly hard to create unique offerings that bring LGBT+ together in local communities, and this year the offerings of Pride festivals across Ireland will blow you away!
Belfast
When: Festival July 26 to August 4, Parade August 3
According to their website, “The Belfast Pride Parade is the biggest cross-community parade in Belfast and the single biggest parade in the city, the main event in the LGBT+ calendar and one of the key events in Belfast Pride festival. It is a protest and a celebration, a call for equality, a stand for solidarity and a celebration of the lives of LGBT+ people in Belfast.”
Check out this fantastic video from Belfast Pride 2018 for a taste of what 2019 will have in store!
Carlow
When: Parade July 21
This year will mark the first EVER parade in Carlow! John Paul, the event organiser, describes the parade as “a litmus test for what can be achieved and what people want in rural Ireland.”
Castlebar/Mayo Pride
When: Festival July 19 to July 23, Parade July 2o
According to their website, “Mayo Pride aims to create awareness and understanding of the LGBT+ community by bringing the whole community together.” The event will celebrate strength in the community with the hashtags #Mayo4Pride and #MayoPride. Mayo Pride has been happening since 2017, and this year is sure to be amazing!
Clare: The Outing Matchmaking Festival
When: September 27 to September 28
The Outing Festival is the world’s only LGBT+ music, arts & matchmaking Festival. The unforgettable experience will take place at the Inn, Dromoland Castle Estate. Tickets are now on sale for the event so be sure to leave this weekend open for this exciting event! The line-up of entertainment will include the immense talent of Paul Ryder, host of The Ringmasters Drag Race, Eurovision Winner Johnny Logan, the legendary Mr Pussy and so many more.
Still haven't got your tickets for The @theouting_ie Festival? Make the perfect match and get them here 🏳️🌈https://t.co/HqEL0IJ2Fe 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/QNKrb9cwhk
— tickets.ie (@tickets_ie) June 7, 2019
Cork
When: July 27 to August 4, Parade August 4
Cork Pride is back stronger than ever! The exciting event will include fun, social, and educational events. There will be an emphasis on events that specifically cater to bi and trans communities. Similarly to World Pride, the theme Cork Pride 2019 is Stonewall: 50 years proud. The after-party of Cork Pride will include Ireland’s youngest drag queen, Karma O’Hara.
Derry/Foyle Pride
When: August 18 to August 26, parade August 25
Pride in Derry will take the form of Foyle Pride, which unites the Derry community with colour, music, and dancing. The festival has its foundation in being a grassroots movement against corporate involvement in Pride and commercialism. The event is one of the only non-corporate Prides in the UK and Ireland.
Drogheda
When: July 19 to July 20, Parade July 20
Speaking about the event, Peter James Nugent, Drogheda LGBT+ Pride Manager said: “It [Pride] means Drogheda is a very welcoming town, the largest town in Ireland, that we all are part of the community, for example, LGBT+, travellers, Roma and other people from different backgrounds and cultures and beliefs are all celebrated.”
Shops, restaurants, and government buildings are already beginning to display rainbow flags throughout Drogheda.
Dundalk
When: July 12 and July 13, parade July 13
Dundalk Pride is sure to be an exciting weekend and will include various events celebrating the LGBT+ community in Dundalk.
Galway
When: August 13 to August 19, parade August 18
The event will include a parade from the Galway city hall on the 18th and a pride shop open all week. There will also be a Pride art exhibition throughout the week that will promote expression, love, parties, and an overall good time.
Larne
When: August 17
This will be the FIRST Larne pride! The event will include a Pride village all day and a Pride party at night. The Larne Pride group said: “Larne Pride is important to our community to show the support and inclusion we have for everyone regardless of race, religion or sexuality, that our wee town has moved forward.
“It’s our hope that the day brings happiness to many many people, and helps them see how many actually support them and care for their happiness just as much as anyone else’s.”
Limerick
When: July 5 to July 14, parade July 13
The theme of this year’s Limerick Pride is World Pride, and is set to include a number of amazing offerings. Moninne Griffith, Executive Director of BelonG To Youth Services, has been announced as this year’s Grand Marshal. She will be bringing her 20 years of advocacy, law, and social justice experience to this momentous role.
Newry
When: August 31
Newry has been chosen to host the Ireland and UK Pride Festival and Parade, which is chosen via a vote annually. Newry will be bringing the Sydney Queer Irish group up to perform and the theme will be Mardi Gras! The hashtag #PrideinNewry is being used to promote the event on social media. The event is sure to be spectacular!
We are delighted to announce we will be bringing the AUSTRALIAN CAST of PRISCILLA – Queen Of The Desert (The Musical) to NEWRY as part of our Pride In Newry – International UK & Ireland Pride 2019 in association with Sydney Mardi Gras. Free show, Parade Feature and Main Stage!!! pic.twitter.com/2WlVMLxivr
— Pride In Newry (@prideinnewry) June 23, 2019
Each year our members vote for the hosts of UK and Ireland Pride. We’re thrilled that this years hosts holding their event on 31st August are @prideinnewry 🏳️🌈 #UKandIrelandPride #PrideinNewry #Pride #UKPON pic.twitter.com/OCVdzDxyee
— UK Pride Organisers Network (UKPON) (@UKPrideNetwork) June 1, 2019
Thurles
When: July 27
This event will mark the FIRST celebration of Pride in Thurles! Tipperary Pride will include a parade during the day and a ticketed Pride event in the evening. Events at the evening at Jim Kennedys will include Battle Of The Drags, a wild Blind Date session, the crowning of Mr and Mrs Gay Tipperary, and, of course, some great tunes.
So much Pride across Ireland to see, so little time!
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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