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Celebrate Pride around Ireland this summer
Follow the rainbow around Ireland for Pride 2024. / @mayopride
50 years ago, Dublin saw its first-ever public gay rights demonstration, and 2024 offers the opportunity to “protest, remember and celebrate,” and to look back on all that has been achieved by the LGBTQ+ community since then. But Pride is not limited to one weekend in the capital city – far from it. There are several wonderful Pride festivals for all to enjoy throughout the country, from week-long parties in Limerick and Cork to spectacular weekends of dancing, outdoor activities and education in Waterford and Mayo.

Here are some of the LGBTQ+ festivals being held throughout the summer to help you to celebrate Pride all over Ireland.

Mayo Pride

Have any plans for the June Bank Holiday? Head to beautiful Westport and celebrate Mayo Pride with outdoor adventures, late-night antics and great company.

Kicking off the celebrations on the Friday night is the glamorous Haus of WIG, a queer cabaret act with a monthly sold-out residency at The Sugar Club in Dublin. Join great performers like Shaqira Knightley, Donna Fella and more for live music, dancing and other hijinks. Besides the Mayo Pride Parade itself, other events include a Big Gay Hike up Croagh Patrick, a Pride Boat Cruise around Clew Bay, a Pride After Party in The Mariner and a drag brunch to get your Bank Holiday Sunday started the right way.

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Westport, Co Mayo, May 31 - June 3.

People celebrating Pride in Westport, Mayo

Photo credit: @lucyniamhh_

Get involved in the Sea Pride event in Mayo this summer.

Waterford Pride

Waterford’s Pride of the Déise is one of Ireland’s newer LGBTQ+ festivals, but the organisers are quickly making up for lost time with stellar programming throughout their 2024 event for the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Head to the Pride March from Cathedral Square on June 1, then dance through O’Connell Street at the Pride Block Party or browse the Pride Market on Barker Place. The following day, start your morning with the Pride Picnic in People's Park and once you've recovered from previous night's antics, doll yourself up for the final event of the pride season, the That 70's Bród Ball in The Reg Bar.  

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Waterford, Co Waterford, May 27 - June 2.

Limerick Pride

Limerick goes all-out for Pride, with a full week in early July set out to celebrate all things LGBTQ+ in the Treaty City. The festivities run the gamut – roller discos at Roller Jam, drag performances in McGettigans and silk screen printing at Limerick Printmakers are open to attendees. The festival will reach its peak with the Pride Parade that will wind through the streets of Limerick on July 13.

Drag queen Victoria Secret will host the official After Party at Dolans that evening, which is sure to be an unforgettable night on the Shannon.

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Limerick, Co Limerick, 8-14 July.

People attending a Pride Parade in Limerick.

Photo credit: @kensington25

Have fun at drag nights and roller discos at Limerick Pride.

Drogheda Pride

This year’s Drogheda Pride is set to feature markets, live performances and educational talks across a fun-filled weekend, but the crown jewel of the festival is the parade itself on July 20, with performances from performers like Kobrah Kage, Kenny Todgers, Phil T Gorgeous and Dualoveit. 

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Drogheda, Co Louth, July 18-21.

Cork Pride

Cork Pride kicks off on July 27 and is already building up momentum for the celebrations ahead. While the full lineup is still to come, popular events such as their Family Fun Day and Party at the Port are set to return. The festival will go out with a bang on August 4 with their annual parade on the banks of the River Lee. 

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Cork, Co Cork, 27 July - 4 August.

Galway Pride

Summer is always busy in Galway, and the city will be celebrating another wonderful season of Pride from August 12 to 18. Aside from the Pride Parade on August 17, you'll find everything from Drag Bingo and a Pride Swim in the sea to a Gaylí (a traditional céilí with a rainbow twist) and a LGBTQ+ Tea Party. 

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Galway, Co Galway, August 1-18.

A large group of people laying out a large Pride flag during Galway Pride.

Photo credit: @galway.pride

Get your friends together and hit Galway Pride.

Laois Pride

Coming back for a third year in a row with the help of the Midlands LGBT+ Project, Laois Pride will immerse the town of Portlaoise in colour for six days of inclusive fun. Dance along with incredible drag queen performers and have a laugh at comedy shows before heading to the Pride Parade on Saturday, September 7.

Mixture of free and ticketed events. Various venues, Portlaoise, Co Laois, September 2-8.

Celebrating Pride with Paddy Smyth

Follow disabled rights activist and presenter Paddy Smyth through his trip to Limerick Pride.

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