37 LGBTQ+ sports clubs to check out across Ireland

Take a look at some of Ireland's queerest sports teams and clubs, from basketball to badminton, and everything in between.

Community. Written by Ailo James Kerr.

LGBTQ+ sports clubs in Ireland 2025. Shamrock Síoga, a queer basketball team wear green jerseys and hold their hands up in a huddle, in a basketball court.
Image: Luciana Parisi

Interested in joining a LGBTQ+ sports club, but not sure where to start looking? We’ve got you.

There are lots of great reasons to jump into a new sport. Exercise is ultimately very good for us. Going on a stupid little walk has been proven again and again to be beneficial for our mental and physical health.

On top of that, one of the biggest factors to improve longevity and quality of life is social connection and community. With a sports club, especially if it’s LGBTQ+ inclusive, you get all the benefits for physical, social, and mental health.

Whether you’re a burnt-out couch potato or already running marathons, there’s a club here for everyone. Keep your fitness goals in the new year in check with one of these inclusive clubs. Or don’t, winter is hard and meant for hibernation.

Dublin

Shamrock Síoga
Shamrock Síoga is an LGBT, emphasis on the T, basketball team that is only one year old but growing quickly. Find out more at shamrocksioga.ie or on their Instagram below.

 

Emerald Warriors
Emerald Warriors is an inclusive LGBTQ+ rugby club with men’s+, women’s+, and all-gender teams. Find out more at ewrfc.ie or below.

Stoneballerz
Stoneballerz is THE Dublin LGBTQ+ softball team for all genders. For those of you wondering, yes, it is similar to rounders, and the ball is not soft but actually very hard. Contact them on Instagram if you’d like to give it a go.

 

Na Gaeil Aeracha
Na Gaeil Aeracha is Dublin’s LGBTQ+ GAA club, with mens+ and womens+ teams. You can check out their website, nagaeilaeracha.ie for information on joining.

 

Phoenix Tigers
Phoenix Tigers is a women’s LGBTQ+ Football (soccer) club of your goals. See more at phoenixtigerscom.wordpress.com.

 

Dublin Devils
Dublin Devils are a football (soccer) team that wears the classic Dublin blues, but also has a wonderfully camp pink kit. Discover the details at dublindevilsfc.com.

 

Flaming Feathers
This fun LGBTQ+ badminton club is welcoming to queer folks and allies alike. And yes, they’re as loud and proud as they come. See more at flamingfeathers.ie.

 

Dublin Front Runners
Dublin Front Runners is perhaps the largest LGBTQ+ sports club in Ireland. Fancy it? Go to dublinfrontrunners.ie.

 

Out and About Hiking
Are you a nature girlie, gay or they? Or maybe you haven’t been outside while it’s bright in a while, and you need a reason to do so? This could be your sign to take a (gay) hike with Out and About. Find out when they’re going at gay-hiking.org/schedule.

 

Pink Ladies
Pink Ladies is a queer women’s hockey club. AFAIK, there’s no T-birds sports club in Ireland. And if there were, what sport would they play? These questions aside, if you’re keen to pick up the hockey stick, join the Pink Ladies at pinkladieshockey.com.

 

Bravo Volleyball
Bravo Volleyball is a, you guessed it, volleyball club for the gays. Check out their lovely kits below.

 

In4Squash
In4Squash is an LGBTQ+ squash club. You can find out about their sessions on their MeetUp page, here. Or check out their Facebook.

Out2Tennis
And now the name ‘In4Squash’ makes more sense! Out2Tennis is an LGBTQ+ social tennis club. You can find out more about attending a session on their MeetUp page here.

Splash Out Dublin
Fancy getting wet? Splash Out offers swimming lessons for the LGBTQ+ community, emphasising proper technique as well as boosting fitness.

 

Wet and Wild Sports and Social Club
If getting wet isn’t enough for you, you need to get wild as well, then maybe give Wet and Wild Sports and Social Club a shot. Here’s their MeetUp.

Queer Adventures
Queer Adventures is an activity club for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people. They aim to provide a holistic approach to well-being, including fitness, nature-focused events, and informative talks. Have a wee look here.

Cork

Cork Racketeers
Badminton seems to be a popular sport with the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland, with multiple teams across the country, though some appear to be out of action. Cork Racketeers are still going strong, though.

 

Na Laochra Aeracha
Aeracha comes from ‘aerach’, meaning airy, pleasant, light-hearted, gay, or frivolous. It is a fitting name for our inclusive GAA clubs. Find out more about the Cork club at nlagaa.ie.

 

Cork Hellhounds
This LGBTQ+ rugby team is howling their way to victory. Visit corkhellhounds.ie for more.

 

Cork Rebels
Cork Rebels are a gay football (soccer) club sure to head their way into your hearts.

 

LINQ Ireland
In addition to their continuous support of the LGBTQ+ community, LINQ also hosts soccer evenings for women and non-binary people. Check out their events schedule at linqireland.ie/groups-activities.

 

 

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Cork Ramblers
Walking is THE exercise, actually. This one’s for the amblers, roamers, and rovers looking to stop and smell the roses.

 

 

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Queer Bike Rides
Queer Bike Rides is a cycling club for you and your silent steed.

 

Rainbow Yogis Yoga
Yoga classes for members of the rainbow community. Find out when and where at gayproject.ie/events/.

Front Runners Cork
This is the Cork branch of Front Runners for those in the ‘real’ capital. Get involved at gayproject.ie/events/

Belfast

Aeracha Uladh GAC
GAA for the Belfast GAAys. Check out their website at aerachauladhgac.clubforce.com.

 

Belfast Front Runners
This is the Belfast branch of Front Runners. See more at belfastfrontrunners.com.

 

Belfast Azlans
This is an inclusive rugby team based in Belfast. What’s more, the Azlans recently got their kit off for a calendar. Check out their socials.

6 men stand nude at a bar, holding rugby balls to conceal their private parts. Text reads "2026 calendar available now"

Belfast Blaze
Belfast Blaze is Belfast’s first and only LGBTQ+ inclusive football team. They have got some gorgeous kits and stunning kicks.

 

Dykesketball
This is a FLINTA* social basketball group in the north. Their Instagram is private, but it’s really cool, so if you’re FLINTA*, interested, and in the area, hit them up!

In4Squash Belfast
Queer squash, this time up north. Get in for it.

 

Out and About Hikers NI
Out and About Hikers is what it says on the tin. Get out and explore the wonder of nature in an inclusive group.

 

Donegal Gay Walking Group
Donegal Gay Walking Group is ‘tackling rural isolation one step at a time’. Check out their Facebook page to join them in their noble mission.

Midwest

Sarsfield RFC
This wonderfully queer rugby club is based in Limerick.

 

Soccer Sisters Ennis
A women’s football (soccer) team in Ennis.

 

Wexford

Out in Wexford
This is a sports and leisure club in Wexford. They host hikes and other activities such as bowling, as well as social outings.

 

Waterford

Deise Pride
Deise Pride is a football (soccer) club in Waterford.

 

The beautiful thing is that many new LGBTQ+ sports clubs have formed in recent years. If we missed an active LGBTQ+ sports club in Ireland, let us know at [email protected].

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