PHOTOS City celebrates “Pride in the Community” as Limerick Pride 2026 hosts a week of events

Limerick Pride 2026 launch took place at McGettigans on Monday, July 6th, 2026. Picture: Olena Oleksienkoilovelimerick

2026 Limerick Pride 2026 Festival culminated in the Limerick Pride Parade on Saturday, July 11th

Limerick Pride 2026 got underway with a Pride of the People Variety Show at McGettigan’s, marking the beginning of the festival running from Monday, 6 July to Saturday, 11 July under the theme “Pride in Our Community”.This year’s festival celebrates the strength, resilience, and achievements of Limerick’s LGBTQ+ community while looking ahead to a landmark moment for Ireland: the arrival of EuroPride 2028.

Limerick will host EuroPride 2028 – West of Ireland from 3–13 August 2028, becoming the first location on the island of Ireland to stage the event. Licensed by the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA), EuroPride is expected to attract between 100,000 and 300,000 visitors to Limerick and Clare, making it the largest LGBTQ+ event ever held in Ireland. Lisa Daly, Festival Director of Limerick Pride and Co-Project Manager for EuroPride 2028, said, “This year’s theme, Pride in Our Community, is about recognising the people who made our progress possible – those who came before us, the volunteers, community groups, clubs, organisations, and allies who continue to support and champion LGBTQ+ people. It celebrates how far we have come together.”

Officially launched on Monday, July 6, events saw a Youth Craft Event at GOSHH where  LGBTI+ young people and allies aged 13–17 came together, made crafts, met new friends and celebrated Pride Week in a welcoming space. The McGettigan’s The Pride of the People Variety Show at 8:30 pm, hosted by Elle Uminati and Ms Bliss, featured drag artists, live vocalists, games, finger food and a DJ to get celebrations underway.

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Tuesday, July 7, brought Drag Masterclass with Whimsy at GOSHH, The Wickham Way hosted the opening of Queering Here, an exhibition celebrating artwork created by the community. 

Tom Clifford Park saw a Sarsfield Open Evening welcoming everyone from children and families to friends and supporters for games, a sports day atmosphere and plenty of Pride community spirit. GOSHH also provided extended late-night testing from 9:30 am–7 pm, offering quick, confidential and supportive HIV testing. Testing will continues on Wednesday, helping to make healthcare access easier and reduce stigma around testing.

Wednesday, July 8 brings GOSHH Community Café from 12 pm to 3 pm, offering a relaxed social space where people can enjoy a coffee, browse the GOSHH library and spend time in a warm and welcoming environment. 

6 pm GOSHH will host a Crafting Night inviting everyone to craft, chat and create together, with activities including knitting, crochet, collage, painting and beadwork. The Wickham Way hosts a Lino Printing Workshop, welcoming members of both Main Pride and Heretic! Limerick’s Alternative Pride to enjoy creative community spaces. Print With Pride returns for its ninth year, inviting all ages to bring cotton items such as t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags or pillowcases to print with the Limerick Printmakers team. 

The evening continues with the Pride Dance Party at Dance Limerick from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, a family-friendly celebration of movement, music and LGBTQIA+ creativity, with ISL interpretation available. Later, join Queer Elders: The Limerick Sessions at The White House at 7 pm, featuring guests sharing stories and experiences from life before social media to today.Thursday, July 9, brings Ally and Draw at GOSHH from 9:30 am–12:30 pm is a welcoming event for people who want to meet more gender queer people, bring an ally, create Pride signs and posters, and learn how to be better allies to trans people in their lives. 

In the evening, GOSHH and Pressed Flowers by Nell present a Sapphic Social at 101 Limerick at 7 pm (€25). 

For Dolores at Belltable at 8 pm brings theatre to the festival programme, exploring friendship, motherhood, mistakes and love through the story of Mo and Realtín. The Wickham Way will also host a Collage and Badge Making Workshop, celebrating community creativity. At Limerick City Library from 6:30pm–7:30pm, the LGBTQ+ Pop-Up Book Club will explore TJ Klune’s House in the Cerulean Sea.

Friday, July 10, Inner Voice hosts an LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse Affirming Online Event from 1 pm to 2 pm, creating space for discussion and connection. The Wickham Way Pride Takeover brings colour and creativity to the city with a Pride Tufting Workshop from 5 pm to 8 pm and a Splatter Room from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, inviting participants to create, experiment and celebrate together. 

Young people aged 14–19 can enjoy The Lavender Ball – Pride Youth Party at Lava Javas Youth Café from 4 pm to 8 pm, featuring live music, art, food and celebration. At 7 pm, Walk This Gay, a history walking tour with Sharon Slater and Jim Lawless, begins at Merchants Quay outside St Mary’s Cathedral, exploring Limerick’s stories of love, resistance and community. 

The night continues with the retunr of T’Was The Night Before Pride at Mickeys from 8pm, featuring a fantastic line-up of performers and DJs. The Wickham Way will also host a non-alcoholic Open Mic Night, while Stateside Pride Party at Amber from 10 pm to 2:30 am brings a night of pop anthems and dancing. For Dolores at Belltable continues at 8 pm for another ticketed performance.

Saturday, July 11 is the highlight of Limerick Pride 2026, beginning with a GOSHH & Zest Coffee Meet Up and Testing at Pride from 11 am. Young people aged 14–19 can prepare for the celebrations at the Pride Breakfast at Lava Javas Youth Café from 10 am to 12 pm, creating banners, bunting and Pride artwork. 

The Limerick Pride Parade follows a new route, gathering at Pery Square from 1 pm, with the parade departing at 2:15 pm. Following the parade, PrideFest takes place at The Hunt Museum from 2:45pm–5:45pm.

The evening concludes with The Climax Party at Dolans, with VIP doors opening at 7:30 pm, main doors at 8:30 pm and the show beginning at 9 pm. Hosted by Victoria Secret and featuring acts including The Magic Men, Bonnie Boux and local talent, it promises to be a spectacular finale to Pride Day. For Dolores at Belltable also continues with an 8pm performance.

Lisa Daly added, “Following our historic success in bringing EuroPride 2028 to Ireland for the very first time, this year’s festival honours the community that helped build Limerick Pride into what it is today. With up to 300,000 visitors expected in 2028, EuroPride will be the biggest LGBTQ+ event ever hosted in Ireland. This July is an opportunity to showcase the pride we have in our city before we welcome the world. We encourage everyone to join the parade and, of course, be as colourful as they like.”

Limerick Pride Parade

Limerick Pride Launch