Kilkenny Pride Festival Makes History with First-Ever Celebration
Kilkenny is set to make history this week as the city hosts its inaugural Kilkenny Pride Festival. The event, which runs from Thursday, July 24, to Sunday, July 27, celebrates LGBTQI+ culture and community under the theme ‘Le Chéile,’ meaning ‘together’ in Irish. This four-day festival promises a vibrant lineup of events designed to bring people together and showcase the diversity and inclusivity of the local community.
A Momentous Occasion for Kilkenny
One of the most anticipated highlights of the festival is Kilkenny’s first-ever Pride parade. Taking place on Saturday, July 26, the parade will begin at 1:30 pm from Kilkenny Castle and wind its way through the city streets, ending at the Butler Gallery. An Garda Síochána will be present to manage traffic and ensure the event runs smoothly.
Alan Slattery, co-chair of Kilkenny Pride, expressed his excitement about the event. “We want to show the world what a welcoming city Kilkenny is,” he said. “For a destination renowned for its festivals, it’s high time there was a Kilkenny Pride festival here too.”
This parade marks a significant milestone, as Kilkenny becomes the last county in Ireland to host a Pride march. Alan highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “As the last county in Ireland to host a Pride march, this parade in particular is a momentous occasion for Ireland as it means that every county, in every corner of the country now has a parade dedicated to celebrating LGBTQI+ citizens.”
Events for Everyone
The festival offers a range of activities for all ages and interests. On the opening night, Thursday, July 24, visitors can enjoy a Nerd Pub Quiz: Pride Edition at Kyteler’s Inn, starting at 7:30 pm. The event is free to enter, with donations collected to support the festival.
In addition, a karaoke night will take place at Biddy Early’s, starting at 9 pm. For those interested in comedy, Kilkenny’s Comedy Pride will feature headliner Gearóid Farrelly, alongside Sinéad Walsh and Kate Feeney, held at the Kilkenny Home Rule Club.
On Friday, July 25, the Butler Gallery presents Drag & Draw, an 18+ life drawing class featuring drag artists as models. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.
Nightlife and Cultural Activities
Pride After Dark will take place at Cleere’s Theatre on both Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 8 pm. The event features performances by Mis White, DJ Eddie B, Roo Honeychild, Kehoe.Ceol, and Pól Pogba.
A Queer Céilí will be held at Fennelly’s of Callan on Saturday, July 26, offering live music, dancing, and entertainment from Cré and guests. Tickets are available for €10.
Final Day and Youth-Focused Events
The festival concludes on Sunday, July 27, with a relaxed barbecue sponsored by Lighthouse Studios, followed by an open mic session at the Kilkenny Home Rule Club.
Throughout the festival, the Kilkenny Youth Pride Committee (Ossory Youth) has planned several youth-focused events, including an improv show, a film screening, and a pre-parade brunch. These events aim to engage young people and provide a platform for creative expression.
Conclusion
With a wide variety of events, the Kilkenny Pride Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of inclusivity, diversity, and community spirit. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The full festival programme and ticket details are available on the Kilkenny Pride website.
