Artist Brian Teeling has paid tribute to The Gym in his brand new t-shirt design. The Gym, once located on Dublin’s Dame Lane, holds a significant yet often overlooked place in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ history.

Opening its doors in 1980 under the ownership of Cyril O’Brien, it emerged at a time when sexual activity between men was still criminalised. In an era marked by secrecy and stigma, The Gym provided not only physical space but also a rare sense of safety, belonging, and community for queer men. Its discreet presence became a lifeline for many navigating the complexities of identity in a hostile social climate.

The venue continued to evolve with Dublin’s shifting cultural landscape until its closure in 1998. A GCN feature from September that year commemorated its end, noting that patrons would soon find a new home at the purpose-built Boilerhouse on Crane Lane, promoted as “bigger and better” but lacking the intimate, formative role The Gym had played for nearly two decades. For many, its closure marked the end of an era in Dublin’s queer nightlife and communal life.

Today, artist Brian Teeling, known for work that frequently engages with queer sexuality, memory, and archival reclamation, revives The Gym’s legacy through a limited-edition T-shirt. The design features a striking graphic created circa 1990 by Oliver Stanley. Layering two Adonis-like figures, one in a red-striped bathing suit and the other in a solid red suit, the artwork captures both the erotic energy and playful camp that characterised The Gym’s identity.

Produced in Dublin on 100% organic cotton single jersey, the relaxed-fit T-shirt offers more than nostalgia. 20% of proceeds will go to ShoutOut, an organisation dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion and education, continuing the spirit of community support that defined the venue’s early years. Available in sizes XS to 5XL, orders remain open until December 12, with delivery guaranteed before Christmas for Ireland and most international destinations (though UK deliveries will follow afterwards).

Teeling’s project not only celebrates a vanished space but also underscores the importance of preserving queer histories, ensuring that places like The Gym, once hidden in plain sight, are remembered with pride. You can order your t-shirt here.