Pride and Joy
With events in full swing, the Galway Pride Festival is proving to be a great success – but the highlight will be this weekend when the annual parade takes place on Saturday.
The opening party at the Harbour Hotel saw dignitaries from Galway along with the Pride Festival partners and sponsors celebrate the launch of this weeklong event with the hardworking committee.
A candlelit vigil saw people walk in remembrance of lost loved ones, and at the Spanish Arch, Aideen Henry, a local humanist minister, gave a touching ceremony as Sean Reilly, Pride Festival Treasurer, played the guitar.
On Thursday, the Secret Garden played host to a BTQIA+ Tea Party, the purpose of which was to create a space within Pride week to specifically focus on those who aren't gay in the community.
This was followed by a talk about reproductive rights in the LGBT+ community and a discussion around the 8th amendment.
The line-up for the comedy night on Friday at the Loft, Seven Bar, hosted by Martin Beanz Ward, will see Pat McDonnell, Joe Dowling and special guest Katherine Lynch take to the stage to bring out the laughs.
The night won’t end there as Galway Pride Festival sponsor, DTF, take over at 11.30pm so those in attendance can dance to all the latest hits played by DJ John.
Saturday at 2pm is the time to be in town as the vibrant parade snakes it’s way from City Hall to the Spanish Arch. Led by Ireland’s No.1, Snapchatter, James Patrice, and with the theme of #ExpressYourself, the parade is guaranteed to be colourful and entertaining.
Down at the Spanish Arch, the entertainment will continue with a family fun day. A “Mammy’s Tent” as well craft stalls and a photobooth will be in place, so there will be something for everyone, as well as a surprise or two from RedBul.
Saturday nights sees the party move to the Black Box. With the Block Party kicking off at 8pm, the Official Pride Party starts at 11pm with entertainment from Victoria Secret, Paul Ryder, Pixie Woo and Regina George. The party theme is Icons & Legends and DJ John is promising to raise the roof.
On Sunday, Galway’s very own drag queen and winner of last years In Your Face Drag Race, Dixie, will entertain on board the Corrib Princess as the Galway Pride Festival raises a glass to the hardworking committee who put the week together, the partners and sponsors and the friends, families and allies of Galway’s LGBT+ community.
Nova Bar, situated at 1 William St West in the city’s west end, is Galway’s official Gay Bar. It hosts live entertainment on Saturday nights downstairs in the main bar with drag artist Miss Kiki St Clair.
Upstairs in what is probably Irelands smallest nightclub, DJ John and others on a regular basis keep the crowd moving and atmosphere buzzing.
The bar has a host of events lined up over the weekend. For details see www.novagalway.ie