Returning for its 14th year in 2026, the Dublin Festival of History is set to shine a fresh perspective on history and its importance in our everyday lives. Among a wide range of talks and tours are some queer events you won’t want to miss. Check out our list below.
Michael Dillon, Ireland’s Extraordinary Trans Pioneer
Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre
Presented by Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre, this exhibition explores the remarkable life and legacy of Michael Dillon (1915–1962), an Irish doctor, writer, athlete and Buddhist monk who became the first recorded transgender man to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Through text, photographs, sound and video, the exhibition places Dillon’s story within the wider histories of medicine, gender, identity and social change. Book here.
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LGBTQIA+ Tour of Collins Barracks
National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks
Highlighting the rich diversity of lives and experiences on the island of Ireland across time, this guided LGBTQ+ tour views the exhibitions of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, bringing some hidden histories and perspectives to the fore. Book here.
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Eva Gore-Booth: Irish Radical Poet, Rebel and Reformer
Richmond Barracks, Inchicore
Irish poet and political firebrand Eva Gore-Booth led a life defiantly at odds with her aristocratic origins, choosing to work among the poor of Manchester. She also campaigned on behalf of barmaids, circus performers, flower sellers and pit-brow lasses, alongside her partner, Esther Roper. In this talk, her biographer Sonja Tiernan will unveil more details about the legendary militant pacifist who championed Irish independence and became a pioneering thinker on gender and sexuality. Book here.
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From Revolution to Repeal: An Introduction to Changing Ireland
National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks
This tour will take attendees through the new Changing Ireland galleries in Collins Barracks, focusing on objects that chart how Ireland has changed in the past 120 years. Tracing Ireland’s recent history, the galleries arrive at the beginning of the 21st century, exploring the social movements that led to a more open and accepting society. The collection includes objects from the Repeal campaign and An Foclóir Aiteach, the first official Irish language LGBTQ+ dictionary from 2022. Book here. An ISL version of this tour is also available for booking here.
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These are our picks of queer highlights at the 2026 Dublin Festival of History, but there are plenty more incredible events to be discovered. Check out the full programme here.
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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