PHOTOS The Rainbow River Swim Parade makes a splash for the beginning of Limerick Pride

Cutting the ribbon on the Limerick Pride Rainbow River Swim 2023 are Jim Lawless, Limerick Pride committee, Richard Lynch, PRO Limerick Pride, Lisa Daly, Chairperson Limerick Pride, Jackie McCarthy O’Brien, Grand Marshall Limerick Pride 2023, Mark Dempsey, Limerick Narwhals and Andrew Duhig, Chairperson Curragoher Boat Club. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

The Limerick Pride Rainbow River Swim Parade marked the 30-year anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland with more than 80 swimmers taking to the River Shannon

This year’s Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival, running from Monday, July 3 until Sunday, July 9 with the Parade on Saturday, July 8 marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between men in Ireland and the group wanted to acknowledge this so this 2023 theme this year is ‘United in Solidarity’.

On Saturday, June 24, the Rainbow River Swim Parade marked the 30-year anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland and also kicked off Pride festivities in Limerick at Curraghgour Boat Club with over 80 swimmers from Limerick swimming group Limerick Narwhals taking to the river followed by over sailing boats, paddle boats and kayaks in a celebration of Pride on the River Shannon.

Lisa Daly, Chairperson of Limerick Pride spoke about how this year’s Limerick Pride is “especially important to our community” as it marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland, and Limerick Pride will therefore have the theme of “United in Solidarity”.

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Lisa said, “When we march up O’Connell Street on Saturday, July 8, we will be marching in honour of our brothers and sisters who came before us and laid the path for our freedom. We want to spotlight and celebrate the power and resiliency of our community. There is something for everyone culminating in the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 8 and the PrideFest party directly after the Parade at the Hunt Museum.”

Mark Dempsey, Limerick Narwhals, said the group’s involvement came about when they were approached by Lisa Daly and Jim Lawless in the build-up to Virtual Pride in 2021.

“They came up with a great idea where we can swim, we could pick up swimming,” said Mark, continuing, “Then when they said it would be the only swim of Pride outside of Amsterdam, in the world, that kind of went ‘oh yeah, Narwhals love doing their things first’ so we all got together, and now we’re here again.”

Lisa Daly expressed Limerick Pride’s happiness with teaming up with the Narwhals once again saying it is great to “get everyone out in the water and celebrate Limerick City, River Shannon is the heartbeat of Limerick City, so why not get it pulsing with all the rainbows in it”.

Lisa Daly said, “We are so grateful for everyone who supports Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival year-on-year, and we are so happy to have the support of local and national organisations, we would like to thank Bus Éireann for supporting the Rainbow River Swim Parade.”

Marie King, Bus Eireann added, “Bus Eireann are delighted to partner with Limerick Pride for the Rainbow Swim on a very important date for the community in Limerick and the wider community around the country. We are supporting events nationwide this year as diversity and social inclusion are extremely important to everyone at Bus Eireann.”

Find out more about Limerick Pride 2023 here.
Read about this year’s Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival here.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick