Limerick Pride returns 6–11 July 2026 with the theme “Pride in Our Community”

2026 Limerick Pride press took place at Hunt Museum and it was announced “Pride in Our Community” will be this year’s theme festival. Pictured above are members of Limerick’s LGBTQAI community

The 2026 Limerick Pride press launch took place at the Hunt Museum celebrating the strength, resilience, and achievements of Limerick’s LGBTQ+ community

Limerick Pride is delighted to announce that its 2026 festival will take place from Monday, 6 July to Saturday, 11 July under the theme “Pride in Our Community.”

The 2026 Limerick Pride press launch took place at the Hunt Museum and 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.

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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.

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.”

This year’s Pride Parade takes place Saturday, July 11th from Pery Square. Due to ongoing city centre works, this year’s Pride Parade will begin from a new location.

Gathering: Pery Square from 1.00pm
Parade Start: 2.15pm sharp
Route: The parade will travel along Glentworth Street and Henry Street before finishing at The Hunt Museum.

Following the parade, The Hunt Museum will host a free, family-friendly PrideFest from 2.45pm to 5.45pm. Visitors can enjoy live music and entertainment, face painting, children’s storytelling sessions, a café, BBQ, ice cream van, accessible facilities, and sensory quiet rooms.

Limerick Pride is proud to announce that the Limerick LGBT Sarsfields Rugby Club will serve as Grand Marshal for the 2026 Pride Parade.

The club has been a trailblazer for inclusion in sport across the region and perfectly embodies this year’s theme of “Pride in Our Community.”

David Cuddihy, President of Sarsfields Rugby Club, said, “We are honoured to be named Grand Marshals for Limerick Pride 2026. Back in 2022, when just 15 people attended our first training session at Young Munster, we could never have imagined growing to more than 100 members.

In just four years, we have become far more than an inclusive rugby club – we have built a community that brings together people from all backgrounds, sexualities, and abilities. Rugby has given us a space where differences are set aside and friendships, confidence, and new skills can flourish.

At a time when many LGBTQ+ people are facing growing hostility online and elsewhere, it is more important than ever that our community stands together. We hope the people of Limerick will come out in force on Saturday, 11 July, to show their support. Limerick is a city and county with an incredible community spirit, and we look forward to celebrating that throughout Pride Week.”

To bring this year’s theme to life, Limerick Pride is working in partnership with local organisations including GOSHH, Trans Limerick Community (TLC), and Heretic! Alternative Pride to deliver an expanded programme of events across the city.

Together, the organisations will host a diverse schedule of events, workshops, social gatherings, performances, and community activities from 6–11 July, culminating in the annual Pride Parade.

Verena Tarpey, CEO of GOSHH, said, “Limerick Pride is a celebration of visibility, inclusion, and community. This year’s theme reflects the incredible support shown by individuals, organisations, clubs, and businesses across Limerick. At GOSHH, we see every day the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ people. Pride allows us to celebrate our progress while continuing to build a community where everyone feels they belong. We look forward to welcoming people to the many events taking place throughout Pride Week and encouraging everyone to get involved and celebrate with us.”

Eleanor Valentine, Chair of TLC and Festival Director of Heretic! Alternative Pride, said, “Trans Limerick Community is proud to work alongside Limerick Pride to highlight issues affecting the trans community. Ireland continues to face significant challenges in trans healthcare, and with rising anti-trans sentiment both at home and internationally, it is vital that we stand together to advocate for meaningful change.”

Speaking about Heretic! Alternative Pride, she added, “Heretic! focuses on celebrating community on the fringes and showcasing queer and trans creativity across Limerick. Our programme highlights the diversity of LGBTQ+ expression through art, theatre, poetry, performance, and more. It is about bringing alternative voices, stories, joy, resilience, and creativity to the forefront, and encouraging people to celebrate Pride in their own way.”

Full details of all events, schedules, and booking information are available here and across Limerick Pride’s social media channels.