In Dublin’s Fairy City where the gays are so pretty… they’ve been celebrating Fifty Years of Pride this summer.
Today’s Ireland rightly feels proud about being at the vanguard of gay rights.
And being the first country in the world to vote in gay marriage in a referendum.
But for anyone who grew up in Ireland, or who was a regular visitor there to see family, will tell you it wasn’t always so.
When the Catholic Church and a conservative society discriminated against gay people.
Pride in Dublin
Now there are many factors that played into the seismic shift in Irish society to become more accepting of gay culture…
Not least EU freedom of movement and Ireland’s seminal part in the Punk, New Wave and Eighties rock movements.
But enough to say that the Pride march in Dublin and the succession of events that follow are now firm fixtures on the calendar.
While Dublin is home to a great gay scene around the Gay Village.
With iconic bars The George and The Panti Bar a lively hang-out for Gay and Straight.
And where once hotels were unwelcoming to same-sex couples then that no longer thankfully is the case.
With the pink punt (now the Euro) as valued as the green one.
Queens Belfast
Pride regulars are still taking down the bunting and glitter from their hair from the very special June 29 50th anniversary celebration.
And for locals, homocomers and tourists who just want to get in on the fun it’s on to the next party.
And the northern part of the island, as is often the way, follows on.
Northern Ireland too has had its journey, an even longer one, post-Troubles, Good Friday Agreement and post-Brexit.
With same-sex marriage only legal since 2020.
But its people, most of them, are now embracing the gays in their villages, towns and cities.
So if you want to be the Belle of Belfast City or Derry Queer (oh, Dandy Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling) then read on.
Belfast times
Belfast Pride Festival will run from 19-28 July and host over 150 events across ten days.
With running, planting, workshopping, quizzing and the culmination the Pride Parade and afterparty on July 27.
It wouldn’t, of course, be a Parade without some Abba.
And the North’s biggest Abba tribute band The Bjorn Identity will keep all the Dancing Queens moving.
While Julian Simmons will keep the party going with his Ibiza Dance Show.
Now, our friends in Northern Ireland have helped us with a guide to the best gay bars in Belfast… and the Cathedral sector is the hub.
Back in the days when I worked in Belfast during the Troubles, Donegall Street, home to the Belfast Telegraph was a very different place.
Although we have fond memories of its journos pub The Front Page.
Donegall Street is home too to the city’s most famous club, Kremlin.
And yes, it has a Soviet-style industrial opulence… what would Putin think?
We’re also recommended The Reporter, home of Ru Paul’s UK vs The World winner Blu Hydrange.
Van and cabaret nights
It has a press theme which us press people will enjoy.
If you’re staying in Belfast then it will be considerably less expensive than its big brother, Dublin, down the road.
With the funky Bullitt Hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott overlooking the river, and the centrally located Malmaison Hotel.
While the 4-star Europa Hotel is renowned for its ballroom and cabaret nights where we saw Belfast Boy Van Morrison, who remember brought us Madame George, in concert.
It has also put on the shows of Ru Paul’s drag queen’s Gigi Goode and Gottmik hosted by local queen, Misty Falls.
Pride of Ulster
Further afield the Foyle Pride Festival (23-25 August) in Derry City has a full programme of events,
Including the Parade on 24th August at 2pm.
It follows a historical route through the city and retraces the steps of the first-ever Civil Rights March in 1968.
And for something a little bit different then the Royal Residence at Hillsborough Castle (County Down) is inviting people to attend LGBTQIA+ tours.
Led by an expert guide on 19th, 21st, 26th July & 2nd, 4thAugust.
The tours will shed light on everything from royal relationships and scandals to activism and shifting societal attitudes.
With the tour also providing a look at the Castle’s beautiful collection of artefacts and paintings.
Every day is a burst of July
So while my old stomping ground of the Republic of Ireland’s capital will be dearest to my heart.
When at this time of the year it becomes Dublin’s Fairy City.
The party must go on and that means heading North.
Where in the parlance of the song every day is the (insert number) of July.