The countdown to Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival 2022 officially began with the press launch at the Hunt Museum in Limerick City on Wednesday 1st June.
At the press launch Lisa Daly, Chairperson Limerick LGBTQ Pride 2022 said, “We are thrilled to be back and able to offer a fantastic line up for Limerick LGBTQ Pride Festival 2022, running from Monday, July 4 until Sunday, July 10 with the Parade on Saturday, July 9.
"There is something for everyone culminating in the annual Pride Parade on Saturday, July 9 and the PrideFest party directly after the Parade at the Hunt Museum. We want to welcome everyone to join us in celebrating LGBTQ culture in Limerick and show Limerick for the truly open and accepting city that she is. Our theme this year is ‘Pride is Culture’ to shed light on the joy and resilience of artists and cultural creators within the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Richard Lynch, PRO Limerick Pride said, “LGBTQ people have always contributed to underground and mainstream culture that still influences our lives today.
"Our community has contributed so much to world culture and we have used our art to fight oppression in all its shapes and forms in our quest for liberation for all LQBTQ people all over the world.”
The Pride committee is delighted to announce this year’s Grand Marshall is historian and author Sharon Slater. Sharon has been researching Limerick's history for the past twenty years. She is the author of multiple publications, most recently 100 Women of Limerick. She has received the National Heritage Hero Award and a Mayoral Reception for her promotion of Limerick's history. She is currently the Historian-in-Residence at Ormston House.
Sharon commented on this year’s Pride theme saying, “So many great changes in society have come from the marginalised rising up. The LGBTQ+ community expressed their identity through art and culture long before it was socially acceptable to do so.
"When asked to be the Grand Marshal I was overwhelmed with emotions. As a gay woman and researcher of history I have seen the many failures in the past towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. It was only a few short years ago when my wife and I could legally marry in this country, which we did in 2016, we have seen so much progress but still have a way to go for equality. It is an honour to stand tall as the Grand Marshall this year as in doing so I might help others who are still not ready to step out of the closet.”
Limerick Pride LGBTQ Festival 2022 will take place starting from Monday 4th until Sunday 10th July with the Parade on Saturday 9th July and will feature a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions, to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone. Lisa Daly, Chairperson Pride added, “All events for 2022 reflect the breadth and depth of our LGBTQIA+ community. From the iconic nature of our Pride March to our newer events, we’ve created events with our entire community in mind.”
On Monday 4th, A Culture of Pride, the official launch of Limerick Pride 2022 will be held at Ormston House from 6pm to 8pm with a wine reception, a performance by renowned Limerick movement artist Mark Carberry aka ‘mmmmmmmmmmmmove’ and a talk on film and theatre actress Alice O’Day by our 2022 Grand Marshall Sharon Slater. Alice O’Day was born in 1882 in Kilfinane, County Limerick, and acted on stage and screen before her death in 1937, aged 55 years old.
Also on Monday 4th July, Dragaoke takes place from 9pm at McGettigans, featuring a night of karaoke and drag performances in honour of Leo Shine, hosted by Elise Cox and Darren Shine, with proceeds raised going to Irish Cancer Society.
On Tuesday 5th July 5, Kaleidoscope, an exhibition featuring a diverse collection of artists curated by Moya Ni Cheallaigh, will be launched by Myles Breen at 6pm at the Hunt Museum.
Also on Tuesday 5th July, Pride Self Defence, a free event with Munster Martial Arts, in association with Stop the Bully Ireland, takes place at Delta Sports Dome from 8.15pm. Registration essential.
On Wednesday 6th July, Print with Pride with Limerick Printmakers at the Belltable from 4.30pm to 6pm, is a free event where you can bring along your t-shirts, jumpers, tote bags, or simply use some of the paper at the event, to create your own custom Limerick Pride Silk Screen art piece alongside images of beloved LGBTQ Stonewall activist Masha P Johnson.
Also on Wednesday 6th July, Pride Documentary Night in honour of the 30th Anniversary of Marsha P. Johnson’s death, takes place at Belltable from 6pm. This free event features films by Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) members who have worked with award winning actor, writer and director, Myles Breen, on devised comic short films.
Young award winning filmmaker Shane Joyce will screen his new Limerick based LGBTQ documentary followed by a screening of The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.
On Thursday 7th July, The Morning After The Life Before by Ann Blake takes place at 8pm at Dolans Warehouse. Gúna Nua presents the internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning play for one night only. The show is a personal, entertaining tale of weddings, ‘coming out’ and arguments over who takes out the bins. Tickets from Dolans.ie.
Also on Thursday 7th July, Mockie Ah takes place at Amber Nightclub at 9pm, featuring Ireland's biggest Drag Haus and queer collective. A tour-de-force of camp, comedy, absolute bangers, and sparkling sequins. Mockie Ah is a celebration of all things camp, queer, nostalgic and oh so very Irish. It is a safe space where everyone is welcomed, loved, embraced, and covered in glitter!
On Friday 8th July, Limerick Pride Youth Party takes place at Lava Javas Youth Cafe, Lower Glentworth Street from 5-8pm. Presented by Limerick Youth Service, young people (14-19yrs) from Limerick and beyond are invited to enjoy music and meet new people at this free event. The team will also be preparing for Limerick’s Pride Parade which takes place the following day.
Also on Friday 8th July, T’was the night before Pride, a free entry traditional pre-pride party with street performers, guest DJ’s and camp classics will take place at Mickey Martins from 1pm.
Also Friday 8th July, Southill Pride Family will take place at the Southill Hub from 4.30pm to 6.30 pm. This family day will offer activities, fun things to do and a BBQ. It is open to young people, parents, and community members.
On Saturday 9th July, the Limerick Pride Parade, will bring some extra colour and music to Limerick City Centre, gathering at Pery Square from 12.20pm for floats, with groups gathering from 12.50pm. The Parade will leave strictly at 2pm, the Parade will make its way across Mallow Street to Henry Street, past Arthur's Quay Park, ending at the Hunt Museum.
PrideFest 2022 at the Hunt Museum is a showcase of local LGBT culture in a lavish marquee in the museum gardens from 3pm – 6pm. This is a free family-friendly event with a free bouncing castle for kids, cone van, café and bar on site, live music and plenty of entertainment including the Annual tea Dance with Myles Breen.
Also on Saturday 9th July, Limerick Pride Climax Party, Ft. Courtney Act takes place at Dolans Warehouse from 8.30pm with International drag artist Courtney Act headlining a stellar line up including Dragged Up with Paul Ryder, Regina George and Pixie hosted by Victoria Secret, Burlesque artist Miss LaVelle and Eurovision and pop chart topper Sarah McTernan. With three floors of music including Saved by the 90s upstairs, Alter Ego with DJ Olivia Chau in the Kasbah Club and a DJ set from Spin South West in the warehouse. Limited VIP Courtney Act meet and greet tickets available at Dolans.ie.
On Sunday 14th July, Dragged to Brunch takes place at House Limerick with the drag queens of Mockie Ah! Booking essential!
This year’s Pride will have an educational aspect. Support meetings will be held during the week for youth, adult and trans groups. GOSHH, 18 Davis Street will provide Rapid HIV testing at different points in the week. Call GOSHH at 061 314354 or email info@goshh.ie for more information.
The Irish Names Quilt Exhibition at Limerick City Gallery of Art takes place July 4 -17. GOSHH invites all members of the LGBTI+ community, their family, friends, allies, and people with an interest in culture and history to visit the exhibition. The Irish Names Project was created in honour and remembrance of those who died in Ireland from AIDS and HIV-related illnesses.
For more information visit LimerickPride.ie and used the hashtag #PrideisCultureLimerick.
