Limerick Pride is just around the corner with the festival running from Monday, July 10 until Sunday, July 16.

This year’s festivities aim to give the youth of Limerick a voice by making this year’s Grand Marshall none other than “the inspirational young people who form the Youth Advisory Panel” on the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy.

At the press launch for Limerick Pride last month, Chairperson Lou McCromack invited everyone to join in the festival which has “something for everyone”.

There is something for everyone culminating in the annual Pride Parade and the PrideFest party directly after the Parade at the Hunt Museum.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer a fantastic line up for Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival 2017, running from Monday, July 10 until Sunday, July 16 with the Parade on Saturday, July 15,” McCormack said.

“There is something for everyone culminating in the annual Pride Parade and the PrideFest party directly after the Parade at the Hunt Museum.

“We want to welcome everyone to join us in celebrating LGBTQ culture in Limerick and show Limerick for the truly open and accepting city that she is.”

LGBT+ Youth

Limerick Pride PRO, Richard Lynch, highlighted the ongoing need for Pride, even though same-sex marriage became legal in 2015.

“People have been asking now that Marriage Equality has been passed in Ireland, why is there a need for a Pride Festival,” said Lynch.

This generation is our future leaders and we want to give them a platform as the voice of a new Ireland.

“There will always be a need as long as others in the global LGBTQ community are not as fortunate as us in terms of equal rights.

“We must fight for our brothers and sisters throughout the world and take a stand for human rights for all.

Lynch also highlighted the importance of engaging with LGBT+ youth at this year’s event, since they are the ones who helped shape the modern, progressive Ireland in which marriage equality was legalised.

“This generation is our future leaders and we want to give them a platform as the voice of a new Ireland. It will be an event supporting LGBTQ young people in Limerick and beyond and we want Pride to be an inclusive, open and integrated event welcoming all people regardless of their sexual or gender orientation, religion or race.”

Limerick Pride 2017 – What’s On

To make this festival as accessible as possible almost all the official events are free, Limerick Pride Secretary Lydia Doody explained.

“Strokers, Limerick’s gay bar is opening 7 nights during Pride to offer something different on every night of Pride,” Doody said.

Check out the highlights from Limerick Pride 2017 below:

On Monday, July 10 a LGBTQ Art Exhibition and a Stanza Poetry Performance will be held at Limerick Pride’s Official Launch at the Limerick City Hotel from 6pm to 8pm. Also at the launch Christian Moretti, writer and LGBTQ Activist will be launching his new book ‘Glory is for the Vain, Fight is for the Brave’. The launch will be followed by a free BBQ and drinks reception at Brimstone Restaurant.

On Tuesday, July 11, Bake With Pride takes place in Hook & Ladder on Sarsfield Street at 5.30pm. Learn to make rainbow cupcakes in a hands-on baking class. Discounted price of €5 for the class. Limited spaces available, booking essential through Limerick Pride. Email [email protected] to book.

The Outlet LGBTQ peer social group will run Tuesday, July 11 at 6.30pm. Call GOSHH at 061 314354 or email [email protected] for more information.

At 8pm there is an LGBTQ Movie Screening in University Concert Hall Limerick, followed by a Lip Sync Battle in Strokers.

On Wednesday, July 12 Print with Pride takes place at Limerick Printmakers Studio & Gallery in Johns Square from 6pm to 7.30pm. This is a free event where you can bring along your t-shirts, jumpers, tote bags, or simply use some of the paper at the event, to create your own custom Limerick Pride Silk Screen art piece. This is followed by Drag Bingo Night in Strokers, which promises to be a great night for all.

On Thursday, July 13, Afternoon T for transgendered people and their friends takes place in Chez Le Fab at 3pm.

Madonna Lucia proudly presents her one-woman show ‘not safe for work’ at Dolans upstairs venue on Thursday July 13th at 9pm sharp. ‘nsfw’ was a breakout hit at this year’s first ever Limerick Fringe festival and has been updated especially for Pride week. Part autobiographical, part stand up comedy and guaranteed to offend the show deals with body image and sex in the digital age. Adult content. Doors 8pm.

On Thursday night, Mezz Ladies Night kicks off in Chez Le Fab at 8.30pm and Strokers has a Karaoke Night at 10pm.

On Friday, July 14, Drag-ON Youth Pride Party will be held in Lava Javas with GOSHH and Limerick Youth Service. All welcome ages 14 – 19yrs. Burst out a rainbow closet, stuff your face with rainbow cakes, dance the night away through glitter and bubbles, decorate your own Genderbread biscuit and paint your face in fabulosity.

That night the now traditional event ‘T’was the night before Pride’ will take place at Mickey Martins from 9pm-11.30pm. Running since 2008, Mickey Martins return for another year to host the pre-pride party with guest DJ’s and camp classics. This is a particularly special year as Mickey Martin’s and Smirnoff have come together to bring legendary act DJ Horse Meat Disco, who will be fresh off the boat from New York Pride in June, to Limerick Pride in July. T’was the night before Pride’ is taking pride to the next level this year thanks to Smirnoff and promises to be an epic night.

The annual Limerick LGBTQ Pride Parade on Saturday, July 15, will bring some extra colour and music to Limerick City Centre, gathering at City Hall at 1.30pm the Parade will make its way at 2.30pm sharp up O’Connell Street, across Mallow Street to Henry Street, past Arthurs Quay Park and returning to City Hall.

Then everyone will go to the Hunt Museum from 3pm to 6pm for PrideFest 2017, a Showcase of local LGBTQ culture in Limerick in a lavish marquee in the museum gardens with special guests Hands in Harmony Deaf Community Choir and drag performances from Shyanne O’Shea and Charnell Clearwater and many more. Limerick legend, actor, director and playwright Myles Breen will be holding his annual Tea Dance, which for many is a highlight of the festival.

That night after Pridefest, X-Factor star Saara Aalto will headline the Pride Climax Party at Dolans Warehouse with support from Limerick singer/songwriter Doreen Grimes. The evening will be hosted by well-known Limerick drag stars Sheila Fitzpatrick and Madonna Lucia and will feature performances from Dublin’s Paul Ryder and London’s Shyanne O’Shea. The event will feature 3 DJ’s with DJ Ruth on the main floor, DJ Jules in the Kasbah and Saved by the 90’s upstairs. Three rooms packed with colour, vibrancy and music for all. Doors open 9pm and Saara takes to the stage at 11pm sharp.

On Sunday, July 16, a Prideful Recovery Event will be held at GOSHH, 18 Davis Street from 1pm – 5pm. Come along to GOSHH on Davis Street, Limerick for some holistic therapies including Reiki, Tarot and Angel card readings. Donations welcome.

A full line-up for Pride week can be found at the Limerick Pride website with updates on the Limerick Pride Facebook page.