Early June isn’t all about the Bank Holiday weekend and the start of the summer; it’s also about the launch of Pride.
The Dublin Pride Festival hits a historic milestone this year and while this year’s festivities officially run from June 19-23; Pride Month formally kicked off on June 1 and runs for the entire month of June.
Pride is gearing up for two big anniversaries. This year marks the 40th year of the Pride Parade, with the first taking place in 1983.
But, the first Dublin Pride March was held in 1974, so celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
This year’s parade will benefit from the whole of O’Connell Street being available for the parade assembly; and a temporary closure of both Luas lines allowing for the parade to flow more freely.
Here’s our quick guide to the main events during Pride Week and other events during the wider month:
As always, much more information can be found on the official www.dublinpride.ie website. Dublin LGBTQ Pride
Queer Alternative Music Nite (All My Friends, Meath Street, Dublin, June 10 8 pm-12:30 am)
Bohemians Football Club hosts the Pride of Dalymount Cup on June 10 (kick-off 6pm, Dalymount Park, Phibsborough, Dublin 7) between a Bohemians XI and a Dublin Devils XI. The match celebrates both clubs’ stance as LGBTQ+ inclusive. The match is preceded by the Women’s Premier League game between Bohemians and Cork City and is followed by a live screening of the Champions League Final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Bohs hosts its second Pride event – a panel discussion on Queer Visibility in Football (June 12, 7:30 pm, The Project Arts Centre, Essex Street East, Temple Bar). RTÉ presenter Colm Ó Mongáin will act as moderator and the panel will include football historian, Gerry Farrell; Dublin Devils’ Adam Kane; former Bohemians women’s captain Sinéad Taylor; Cecelia Gavigan of the INTO LGBT group; and Irish Times columnist Ken Early.
LGBTQIA+ Art Tour (June 10, 1:30 pm, National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West) is a free guided tour of the National Gallery of Ireland exploring works connected to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
Lavender Walk Queer History Tour of Dublin with Tonie Walsh (June 19-23, 1pm, Bernardo Square, City Hall, Dublin)
Rebel Pride Tour celebrating and documenting the LGBTQ+ heroes of the 1916 Easter Rising (June 20, 2:30 pm, GPO Museum, O’Connell Street, Dublin)
From the Past to the Present: Crafting History Through Banner Making workshop (June 21, The Mart Gallery, 90a Lower Rathmines Road, Rathmines)
Pridemania 2 featuring live music, burlesque and drag artists (June 22, The Sound House, 28 Eden Quay, Dublin, doors open 7:30 pm; show starts 8:30 pm)
Spanish water polo star and LGBTQ+ activist Victor Gutiérrez talks at the Irish launch of his book Balón Amarillo Bandera Arcoíris (Yellow Ball, Rainbow Flag) (June 23, 6 pm, Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place)
Dublin Pride 2023 Main Parade and March is on June 24 kicking off at 12 noon and going from O’Connell Street to Merrion Square. Preceding the event is the Bewley’s Pride Brunch (Bewley’s Café, Grafton Street 10:30 am). By the way, €5 from every ticket sold for the Brunch event will be donated to LGBT Ireland.
Sunday, June 25 sees Ariana’s Drag Race take place (7 pm, Farrier and Draper, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, South William Street, Dublin 2), with judges Jack Swift and Autumn Moon and host Ariana Grindr.
