2025 marks ten years since the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland and celebrates 2015 as a momentous and historic moment for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
This year’s theme is concerned with realising and protecting these hard-won rights and celebrating these accomplishments. June is finally here and there are a myriad of incredible events taking place across the country to celebrate. You won’t want to miss these.
Ireland has a long history with Pride. The first Dublin pride parade took place on June 25th 1983, a decade before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. Things have come a long way since then with the 34th Amendment legalising same-sex marriage coming into effect in 2015.
That same year, the Gender Recognition Act was passed. Over the past decade, there have been several further developments in LGBTQ+ representation in Ireland. However, more can certainly be done, especially in the realm of hate crime legislation. Still, it’s highly important to recognise the progress made and to celebrate Pride 2025.
Take a look at some of the most anticipated events for this year’s Pride.
Outhouse
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Let’s begin by highlighting the impact and influence of Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. Located on Capel Street, it has been a revolutionary fixture and safe space for almost thirty years. Outhouse has many events every month and June is no different. Some events are catered towards a specific demographic within the LGBTQ+ community and others are open to all. Each event is free, and registration is usually not required. Below are some events taking place this month.
June 6th: Sapphic Social For LGBTQ+ Women
June 6th: Men’s Night for Gay Men of All Ages
June 9th: LGBTQ+ Alcoholics Anonymous
June 10th: LGBTQ+ Yoga
June 14th: Drag Queen Story Time
June 18th: Outhouse Book Club Pride Edition
June 25th: Gold for LGBTQ+ folks aged 50 and over
June 25th: T-Time for trans, gender nonconforming, non-binary and gender-expansive folk
June 27th: Open Mic Night
You can find out more here.
Queer Spectrum Film Festival
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If you’re a cinema fan, the Irish Film Institute is hosting their Queer Spectrum Film Festival throughout June. It takes place on June 13th and 14th and features six events which each feature a myriad of queer short films across a broad linguistic and cultural spectrum.
The festival started last year and is set to grow in its impact, blending both popular and underrated queer cinema with pride month.
Find out more here.
An Bál Aiteach
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An Bál Aiteach is an Irish language LGBTQ+ event taking place on June 21st in The Back Page pub in Phibsborough. It’s one of the biggest Irish language LGBTQ+ events of the year, combining music with dress up and is inspired by the 1970s Black Harlem community in New York City.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
National Gallery of Ireland
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On June 22nd the National Gallery of Ireland is hosting an audio-described tour of LGBTQA+ artworks.
The art of LGBTQA+ artists is highly influential and what better time to celebrate it than now? It’s free admission and no pre-booking is required.
More information can be found here.
Mother Pride Block Party
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The Mother Pride Block Party has been a fixture of Irish Pride Month since its inception over a decade ago. It began as a regular block party and has evolved into the official ticketed afterparty of Pride.
The event takes place across the National Museum of Ireland grounds and involves a series of performers such as singers, dancers and Drag Queens. This year’s lineup is headlined by The Blessed Madonna, Trixie Mattel and Samantha Mumba to name a few.
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. This is June’s most anticipated event and not one to be missed!
Obviously, the pride parade itself is the highlight and gem of Pride Month. Dublin Pride has grown immensely, from two hundred marching in 1983 to thousands marching last year. The parade is set to begin at the parade assembly point on O’Connell Street and march cross-city to Merrion Street Lower.
While Dublin Pride is the biggest, there are other parades occurring across the country. Cork Pride takes place on August 3rd. Galway has the longest continual pride event, taking place over the course of a week from August 10th-16th.
Pride is already shaping up to be the best one yet. Make sure to check out at least one of these events, if not a few. And again, happy Pride my loves!
Words by Sarah Hanrahan