Pride Vibes radio host Mia Poland took a trip to the West of Ireland to take part in The Outing, the country’s legendary queer matchmaking festival. Here, she tells us all about this fantastic weekend.

There are few experiences in life that remind you why you do what you do, but this weekend at The Outing Winter Pride Festival in Ennis has definitely been one of them. As the host of an LGBTQ+ radio show, Pride Vibes, being present in spaces like this feels like coming full circle.

While I am very aware of the vibrancy of the queer community in Ireland, there is obviously a stark difference from being sat in the studio to the glamour and intimacy at the heart of the community on the ground. Summer Pride festivals will always have a special energy, but there’s something uniquely warm and intimate about a winter Pride festival too.

Walking into Treacy’s West County Hotel on Friday evening, you could feel the buzz of possibility: queer performers, drag artists, musicians and folks travelling from Cork, Dublin, Limerick and all over the world for a weekend of connection. It’s a different rhythm to Pride in June, a more reflective, intimate dance, yet equally as powerful.

Be it a blind date on the main stage, a queer craft market, karaoke or late-night DJ sets, The Outing Festival carries a diverse heartbeat that keeps you smiling all weekend, and for the many weeks that follow.

 

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For me, the highlight is always the personal stories and re-meeting the community in person. I had the chance to hear so many stories from people who have only come together because of this festival. I spoke at length with a drag king from Latvia who told me about LGBTQ+ politics in their country. I touched base with Verena Tarpey from GOSHH and Orla Egan from the Cork LGBT Archives.

The Outing feels like an unfolding soundtrack of queer living, loving and thriving. It has every corner of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community present, not to mention a stellar lineup of performers. On Friday night, The Cheeky Girls took to the stage as well as Paul Ryder, Victoria Secret, Paul Midleton and a whole host of energetic drag performers.

Absolute Britney tore up the stage on Saturday night, and the man behind it all, Eddie McGuiness, showed everyone up in his head-to-toe rainbow suit. Plus, this year, my second year coming from Cork to attend the festival, I was delighted to see some sickening Cork performances, especially those from Saints. Krystal Queer, Lucina Schynning, Liam Bee and Ashima Kent did the rebel county proud, and I’m not sure The Outing knew what hit them.

But that, I think, is the magic ripple of events like this; reminding broadcasters like me why queer spaces matter beyond airwaves: because they are living spaces where people are seen, heard and welcomed.

I always aim to capture that spirit on air, reflect it in the chats I have with guests every week, and share it with everyone tuning in. Pride may have many forms, but this weekend in Ennis has shown me yet again that Pride is, first and always, about people.

Tune in next Sunday, and I’ll tell you all about it. Pride Vibes broadcasts across Cork’s 96FM, Dublin’s FM104, Limerick’s Live95 and LMFM. Plus, the podcast comes out every Monday, so you don’t miss a thing.