After weathering the storm that was Irish winter, it’s safe to say we’ve earned a summer to remember. With May promising drier and longer days aplenty, it’s time to fill them up with some fabulous queer events. Check out some of the best options below!
KING
May 1, The Grand Social
KING returns to The Grand Social this May bank holiday for a night full of big tunes and big energy. With Claire Beck and RJ the DJ on the decks, the dancefloor is ready to welcome dykes, queers, gays, theys and friends, all while raising vital funds for Dublin Dyke March. Get your tickets here!
View this post on Instagram
Raise your Spear
May 1-23, Droichead Arts Centre
Artist Dani Gill hosted a series of workshops over 2025 and 2026 exploring themes of identity, community and advocacy. Participants each customised their own spears, which will now be exhibited in public installations in Droichead’s gallery this May, alongside words and reflections from the process. Find out more here.
View this post on Instagram
Mother
May 2 & 3, Lost Lane
Mother is ringing in the start of summer with not one, but two club nights in their regular haunt, Lost Lane. While it’s business as usual on Saturday with pay-on-the-door entry, you need to book tickets for the Sunday party; do so here!
View this post on Instagram
Leathermen of Ireland’s second-hand fetish gear sale
May 2
If you have a penchant for harnesses, a kink for rubber, or you’re just on the market for a good old-fashioned leather jacket, then the Leathermen of Ireland’s second-hand fetish gear sale has got you covered. At least 10% of proceeds will be donated to GCN and the Switchboard. Head to Pennylane on Saturday to secure the best pieces!
View this post on Instagram
Doomslayers Live Podcast
May 3
The stunning trio behind the Doomslayers Podcast is ready to take to the stage at the Galway Theatre Festival for a discussion on “coping in an increasingly doom-filled world while remaining unfiltered, unabashed and gloriously unhinged”. Grab tickets at this link.
View this post on Instagram
Bealtaine Festival
Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing is back this May, with a programme full of fabulous events. One particular highlight that people can look forward to is Not Dead Yet: Love, Intimacy and Dating in Later Life with none other than Panti Bliss, Leslie Dowdall and Dr Sabina Brennan. Find out more about the festival here.
View this post on Instagram
GLAMORAMA
May 2, Droichead Arts Centre
From All That Glitters cabaret, GLAMORAMA brings together a world-class cast of Ireland’s best burlesque, drag, circus and pole performers, as well as a very special guest from the UK, Cleopantha. It’s set to be the sexiest night in Drogheda, so don’t miss out; grab your tickets here.
View this post on Instagram
Wilde Stages
May 4-17, Dublin
Formerly known as the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, Wilde Stages takes over the capital for its 2026 edition this May. With close to 30 shows and events scheduled featuring artists from eight different countries, this year’s programme may be its most ambitious and dynamic yet. Find out more and buy tickets here.
View this post on Instagram
Queer Community and Belonging in Belfast
May 8-15, Conway Mill
On Friday, May 8, Queer Belfast is opening a new exhibition in collaboration with Mental Health Arts NI. A whole host of local artists are showcasing their work, with the gallery space open to the public for a week.
View this post on Instagram
Mask Making & Covid Safety Zine Workshop
May 9, Paperxclips
Learn how to be more Covid cautious and decorate FFP2 masks at this fabulous event! Hosted by Belfast Dyke March, it will take place in paperxclips, an independent queer-owned bookshop and community space.
View this post on Instagram
FUR!
May 9, DV8
Dublin Bear’s club night FUR! heads back to DV8 on May 9. Expect a night of sweat, beats and big bear energy. Don’t miss out! Get your tickets here.
View this post on Instagram
Club Gass
May 9, Róisín Dubh
Club Gass returns to the Róisín Dubh in Galway this month for another night of drag, dancefloor chaos and pure gass energy. Host Kiki St Clair will be joined by special guest Paul Ryder, and there will be performances from a range of fantastic acts. If that wasn’t enough, DJ Menance and DJ Lil Monica will also be on hand to provide the tunes. Get your tickets here!
View this post on Instagram
National Gallery of Ireland Tour of LGBTQIA+ Artworks
May 9, National Gallery of Ireland
Join the National Gallery of Ireland for a free tour of its LGBTQ+ artworks. The guide will encourage attendees to look closer at art and question the seemingly heteronormative histories that go with it. Find more information here.
View this post on Instagram
Emma Brennan and Thomas Wells—The House of Atreus
May 9-23, Pallas Projects / Studios
Next on our list of queer events happening this May is The House of Atreus, a collaborative project by artists Emma Brennan and Thomas Wells. It explores how working-class architecture reflects contemporary social and moral systems, confronting how identity, labour and space are constructed and contested under capitalism. Find out more here.
View this post on Instagram
Self-med 101 Workshop
May 10
Many trans people in Ireland choose or are forced to self-medicate because of the state of trans healthcare in the country. In order to support members of the community in medicating safely, Transgress the NGS is hosting a workshop covering issues like HRT testing and sourcing, accessing and using injecting supplies, blood tests, and where to find support. More information can be found below.
View this post on Instagram
Lady on the Rock
May 10, Cork Arts Theatre
Lady on the Rock is a darkly comic exploration of loneliness and identity in suburban Dublin. Showing as part of Cork Fringe Festival, it is directed by David Donovan, who grew up in Goleen before moving to the capital city. Get tickets here.
View this post on Instagram
Doris Day: A Date with the Girl Next Door
May 13, Arthur’s Jazz & Blues Club
Singer, actor and entertainer Truly DiVine is bringing an intimate evening filled with the songs and stories of Doris Day’s life, dressed in petticoats and candy smiles. Accompanied by the finest Irish Jazz Gentlemen, prepare to see Doris brought back to life! Tickets for this event are sold out, but there is another in June that you can book here!
View this post on Instagram
GCN’s My Big Fat Gay Pub Quiz
May 14, Street 66
GCN’s beloved pub quiz is coming back in May for a fabulous night of queer trivia and fundraising, hosted by The Misses. So gather all your most knowledgeable friends and get ready to compete for some amazing prizes! Tickets are on sale here.
View this post on Instagram
Petty Little Things Live
May 15, The George
The Petty Little Things podcast is presenting a live show as part of The George’s 40th birthday celebrations. Davina Devine and Victoria Secret will travel down memory lane, looking back on the herstory of Ireland’s most famous queer bar. Find more info below.
View this post on Instagram
International Literature Festival Dublin
May 15-24, Dublin
The programme for this year’s International Literature Festival Dublin is packed full of queer authors and stories. From queer literary tours of the Irish capital to conversations with LGBTQ+ authors of the likes of Colm Tóibín and Elif Shafak and important discussions on the manosphere, there’s plenty to choose from. Find the full programme here.
View this post on Instagram
National March for Palestine
May 16, Dublin
The next National March for Palestine is taking place this month, marking 78 years of ongoing Nakba. Participants will be assembling at the Gardan of Remembrance, before moving through the city calling for sanctions for Israel, the enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill, an arms embargo and more.
View this post on Instagram
Creative Queers Art Market
May 16, Cúlturlann Uí Chanáin
This fabulous market is hosted by the team at Foyle Pride to mark LGBTQIA+ Awareness Week in Cúlturlann Uí Chanáin. There will be a range of amazing vendors; if you’d like to be one of them, fill out this form.
View this post on Instagram
Queer Rave Fundraiser Day Party
May 16, Wigwam
DJ Manwelli is teaming up with Club Domhanda for this queer day party in aid of ShoutOut. Taking place on the Wigwam Terrace from 1pm to 10pm, expect tunes from Shannen Blessing, G!O, Katiee.eem, Acid Dave, Bull Horris, DJ RÍ, Aaron Grant, Blewit, Glamo and the host himself. Tickets for this are unfortunately all sold out, but keep your eyes peeled for any that become available!
View this post on Instagram
Emerald Warriors Pub Quiz
May 20, The George
Emerald Warriors are holding a pub quiz to raise funds for the rugby club. There will also be a raffle with great prizes to be won. Find out more and get your tickets here!
View this post on Instagram
An Evening with Avoca Reaction
May 24, The Wild Duck
Presented by The Queer Cabaret, join drag superstar Avoca Reaction for an evening of songs, stories and scintillating goss. Joined by virtuoso performer and accompanist, Paul James Prior, Avoca will be belting Broadway bangers, sultry soul and pop-culture brainrot anthems. Get your tickets here!
View this post on Instagram
Pride of the Déise
May 27-June 6, Waterford
Pride of the Déise returns to Waterford at the end of the month. The programme includes a whole host of highlights, including the organisation’s seventh annual Pride march and block party. More information can be found here.
View this post on Instagram
Carlow Arts Festival
May 28-June 1, Carlow
The Carlow Arts Festival kicks off this month with a range of amazing events to look forward to. One highlight is Barry Fitzgerald’s Mourning is a Muscle, which explores grief, connection, queerness and lineage. Book tickets here. What’s more, local Carlow legend SexyTadgh will be hosting a showcase of music, dance and drag. Get tickets at this link.
View this post on Instagram
Cruising Archaeology II: Eurotrash launch
May 28, The Boilerhouse
SMUT Press continues its mission to platform queer artists with the release of Cruising Archaeology II: Eurotrash, the highly anticipated follow-up to its 2024 cult favourite. The publication will be released on May 7, with a series of launch events happening across Europe, including one in the Boilerhouse on May 28.
View this post on Instagram
Mayo Pride
May 29-31, Westport
In addition to being packed full of incredible queer events, May is also the month that kicks off Pride season in Ireland. Mayo Pride returns in 2026 with a unique mix of nightlife, culture and outdoor activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ life in the west of Ireland. From ice cream walking tours to spectacular live shows and the iconic Pride parade, find information about the programme here.
View this post on Instagram
Letterkenny Pride
May 29-31, Letterkenny
While Letterkenny Pride has previously taken place later in the year, the 2026 edition will be held in May. There is a range of exciting events and performances planned, and not to mention the fabulous parade. For more information, click here.
View this post on Instagram
Wexford Pride Inside
May 30, Wexford Arts Centre
Wexford Pride Inside is back for an unmissable day of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Taking over Wexford Arts Centre on Saturday, May 30, expect a vibrant event full of queer joy. Find out more information here.
View this post on Instagram
Glam Girls Community
May 30, Dublin
Hosted by Coco Ri, Glam Girls Community’s latest event offers much to look forward to! The first stop is Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre for makeup and prep, before going to pre-drinks in Pantibar ahead of the main event at Jack Nealon’s. Tickets are available here.
View this post on Instagram
Heartlands Pride
May 30-June 7, Athlone
Heartlands Pride is hosting its first summer Pride this year, including its inaugural parade! There are many incredible events to look forward to as part of the festival; find out more information here.
View this post on Instagram
These are just some of the fabulous queer events happening in Ireland this May. If you think we missed one, let us know at [email protected].
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.