Thousands of people were in Limerick on Saturday, July 8, to celebrate the power and resiliency of a community United in Solidarity for the Limerick Pride Parade 2023.
Lisa Daly, Festival Director Limerick Pride said,
“This Pride marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between men in Ireland and we wanted to acknowledge this so our theme this year is ‘United in Solidarity’. When we marched up O’Connell Street this year, we marched in honour of our brothers and sisters who came before us and laid the path for our freedom. We wanted to spotlight and celebrate the power and resiliency of our community.”
The Pride parade of course was the highlight of the week and was an explosion of many different colours as part of one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ celebrations Limerick has ever seen, with bright, sunny weather no doubt drawing more people out. After the Parade the annual Pridefest celebration took place under the glorious sunshine in the gardens of the Hunt Museum.
The theme for the festival this year was ‘United in Solidarity’, with a diverse series of events planned for the week. Limerick Pride LGBTQ Festival 2023 featured a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone. The Pride parade of course was the highlight of the week and was an explosion of many different colours as part of one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ celebrations Limerick has ever seen, with bright, sunny weather no doubt drawing more people out.
Richard Lynch, PRO of Limerick Pride said,
“The weeklong festival featured a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone. All events reflected the breadth and depth of our LGBTQIA+ community with our entire community in mind.”
This year it was back with a bang as people young and old joined in the fun, with the parade led by Grand Marshal Of Limerick Pride 2023, Limerick sporting legend Jackie McCarthy O'Brien. Jackie said,
“I am simply thrilled and honoured to be the Limerick Pride Grand Marshal 2023 and will treasure the opportunity to stand united in solidarity with my community as we remember and acknowledge the struggles our community has faced over the last 30 years.”
Festival events included United in Solidarity’, the official launch of Limerick Pride 2023 which was held at the International Rugby Experience, featuring a panel discussion on LGBTQ people in sport with our Grand Marshall Jackie McCarthy O’Brien and other notable sporting personalities, hosted by sporting commentator Fiona Hayes and ‘30 years of Queer History’ at the Hunt Museum which was a discussion about the 30 year anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland with historian Sharon Slater and Adam Long of the National LGBT Federation and Limerick actor and playwright Myles Breen.
The celebrations culminated at the Limerick Pride Climax Party at Dolan’s Warehouse with a stellar line-up of fantastic acts with RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne as the headliner accompanied by drag host Victoria Secret and the queens of Dragged Up.
Until next year Happy Limerick Pride and love to all!
