Latest news with #DublinPrideParade
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘The journey is not complete' – President Michael D Higgins wishers revellers happy Pride 2025 & marks key milestone
MICHAEL D Higgins has wished revellers a happy Pride 2025 — his last LGBT+ event as president. The Dublin Pride Parade and March 2025 will assemble on O'Connell Street today — celebrating a decade since the 2 President Michael D. Higgins sent well wishes for all celebrating Pride today Credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images President 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, the dignity and the joy of our " It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. READ MORE IN NEWS "In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum. 'A moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be — inclusive, generous and unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens." The President said that we must also acknowledge that "the journey is not complete". He continued: "A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. most read in the irish sun "Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. "In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever. Mr Higgins reflected on his terms as President of Ireland. He added: 'I have been continually inspired by the creativity, resilience and generosity of spirit shown by Ireland's LGBT+ community. 'In so many aspects of Irish life, your rich and varied contributions have helped to enrich our society immeasurably — widening the circle of belonging for us all. "May I wish all those marking "May this Pride be a time of joy, of solidarity, and of renewed hope as we work to craft a future together that is peaceful, just and inclusive – a future defined by equality and participation of all citizens across the world in all their wonderful diversity." 2 President Higgins said the event is a vital affirmation of the rights of our LGBT+ communities Credit: Alamy
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Pillow Queens gearing up for huge Dublin show for Pride
Dublin indie heroes Pillow Queens are gearing up for a huge Pride show this weekend - their first gig of the year in the capital. The three-piece will play the Just Eat Pride Event at the Grand Social, with support from Derry singer-songwriter, SOAK, after this Saturday's Dublin Pride Parade. 'We are excited about it,' Pillow Queens bass player and co-vocalist Sarah Corcoran told the Irish Mirror ahead of the show. 'It's nice to be playing a venue like the Grand Social again, because it's been a few years since we did something like that. 'We're having a great time. We're trying to get a set together that's just like the hits, the festival bangers. Just so everyone's in good form for Pride, so we need to make sure we keep it that way!' For Pillow Queens, Pride is 'an opportunity to check in with how far' the group have come, and 'how much progress' there is still to make - alongside celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. 'I think Pride is an individual thing, generally speaking,' Sarah said. 'But I suppose for the band, I think we see Pride as an opportunity to check in with how far we've come and how much progress we've still yet to make, as well as celebrating our community. 'Because I think the Queer community in Ireland is a really special one, so it's a really nice chance to get to go and join the march, and then go and do our sound check and then just sort of party the night away.' All proceeds from ticket sales for the event will go towards Irish charity Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. 'I think resources are still very, very necessary,' Sarah explained. 'Not everybody has a supportive community in their direct vicinity, so they need to be able to reach out. And Outhouse is one of those organisations that offers those resources. 'Whether it's education you're looking for, community or support, or just an ear to listen, the Outhouse is just incredible for doing that. 'It also provides a space for the LGBTQ+ community to just come together in Dublin City, which is incredible. And their coffee is really good too.' 'It's really special,' Sarah added, talking about her own experience with Outhouse. 'It's been going for years and years, and I remember being a teenager and going in and just picking up leaflets, and it being very informative to me, coming to terms with my own identity. 'Then just meeting people there as well. They host events, they host exhibitions... Always been a great support to not only the LGBTQ+ community, but also the Irish music scene, as well, which is amazing.' Pillow Queens are currently working on a new album, with the band getting stuck into writing new tunes and making demos. 'Tunes are still getting written, we are going to keep writing tunes until we have no energy to write anymore. 'Because it's fun, and we haven't really had the opportunity to do it before, because for the last three albums we've been in a contract with a label in North America, so there was a bit of an expectation that we'd release an album, then tour, then just go straight in and release another album. 'Whereas now we're out of contract with that label, so the pressure is completely off, and we can sort of change the speed, the direction, a little bit, the style as well, and just sort of go wherever we want to go with it. 'We're in the middle of doing demos at the moment. 'Our lovely friend Darragh is playing drums with us, he's also our producer and engineer, so he's helping us put together a demo, which is amazing because we've been learning those skills little by little over the years, but we're nowhere near as good as he is, so it's great.' Pillow Queens will be supported on the day by Derry singer-songwriter SOAK, who they previously toured with. Sarah shared: 'We toured with them in 2018, I want to say, around Europe. That was our first foray into the tour bus life, and we haven't witnessed it since, that was very exciting for us. 'They took us under their wing and took us around Europe, so it's exciting to get to share a stage with them again.' Pillow Queens and SOAK will play the Just Eat Dublin Pride Event at The Grand Social on Saturday. All proceeds from ticket sales, as well as a €20,000 Just Eat donation will be given to Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Luas & Dublin Bus havoc with no trams serving multiple stops & major route diversions for Pride parade this weekend
MAJOR disruption is expected this weekend with no trams at several stops and widespread diversions in place for the Dublin Pride Parade. 3 Some Luas trams will not be servicing multiple stops Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Dublin Bus will also have major diversions in place throughout the day Credit: AFP - Getty The 2025 Dublin Large crowds are expected to attend the event and there will be major changes to public transport services throughout the day. Luas bosses have confirmed that no Green Line trams will operate between St Stephen's Green and Dominick from 9.40am to 5pm. Trams will continue to run between Brides Glen and St Stephen's Green, and separately from Broombridge to Dominick during this time. READ MORE IN TRAVEL On the Red Line, there will be no Services will continue to operate between Tallaght, Saggart and Smithfield on one side and resume full operations after the parade finishes. On their website it reads: 'To facilitate the Dublin Pride Parade on Saturday 28 June there will be changes to Luas services. 'Please be aware that it will be a busy weekend, so plan your journey ahead of time, and allow plenty of time for travel.' Most read in News Travel From 6am to 11.30am, Routes 15a, 15b, 19 and 26 will terminate at Nassau Street due to the closure of Merrion Square South. 'The best thing ever' say Irish passengers after spotting special Dublin Bus vehicle on road Southbound services will operate to stop 403 on Nassau Street and return via Lincoln Place while multiple north and south routes will be diverted due to the closure of O'Connell Street. And other affected routes include 1, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 11, 13, 16, 38, 38a, 38b, 40, 122, 140, E1 and E2. Southbound buses will divert via Parnell Street, Cumberland Street, Cathal Brugha Street, Marlborough Street, Rosie Hackett Bridge, Burgh Quay and D'Olier Street. Northbound services will divert via Eden Quay, Gardiner Street and Parnell Street to Parnell Square. FURTHER DIVERSIONS IN PLACE DURING PARADE During the parade from 11.30am to 4.30pm, further diversions will be in place - including route 1 buses which will divert in both directions via Tara Street, Gardiner Street and Parnell Street. Route 7 will divert via Baggot Street, Pembroke Road and Nassau Street when Route 9 will divert via Fleet Street, Townsend Street and Tara Street in both directions while route 11 will follow similar diversions through Fleet Street and Marlborough Street. Route 13 will divert through Parnell Street and terminate at Mountjoy Square in one direction and via Rosie Hackett Bridge on the way out. Route 14 will divert via Beresford Place, Talbot Street and the Rosie Hackett Bridge while routes 15, 15a and 15b will terminate at Poolbeg Street during the closure and return via College Street. Route 16 will divert via Gardiner Street and Route 19 will divert via Mountjoy Square, Gardiner Street and Parnell Street in both directions while route 26 will terminate at Ormond Quay and divert via Grattan Bridge and Wood Quay on its return. Routes 27, 27a and 27b will use Townsend Street, Tara Street and Talbot Street depending on direction, with some terminating early. Route 33 will divert southbound via Cathal Brugha Street while route 37 will divert via Parliament Street, Dame Street and College Street southbound,and Grafton Street Lower northbound. Route 38 will divert via Marlborough Street, Hawkins Street and College Street southbound, and Fleet Street and Tara Street northbound while routes 39 and 39a will divert via Parliament Street and College Street. For the full details of diversions in place, visit the Dublin Bus website at Luas and Dublin Bus service changes this weekend HERE are all of the changes taking place to Luas and Dublin Bus services this weekend The annual Dublin Pride Parade begins at 12.30pm on O'Connell Street and finishes at Merrion Square this Saturday. For Luas commuters, there will be no Green Line trams will run between St Stephen's Green and Dominick from 9.40am to 5pm. Red Line trams also won't operate between Smithfield and Connolly or The Point from 10am to 2.30pm. Trams will still run on either side of these closed sections on the day, with normal services set to resume after the parade. Dublin Bus diversions will begin early Saturday morning, with routes 15a, 15b, 19 and 26 terminating at Nassau Street from 6am to 11.30am. From 7.30am, routes such as the 1, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 38, 40, 122, 140 and others will be diverted away from O'Connell Street. Further diversions take place during the parade from 11.30am to 4.30pm will affect dozens of routes, including the 1, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 26, 27, 33, 37, 38 and 39. Luas and Dublin Bus passengers are now being urged to allow extra time for their journeys this weekend. 3 The annual Dublin Pride Parade is set to take place this weekend Credit: Naoise Culhane
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
THREE busy roads in Dublin city centre to close for HOURS next weekend as ‘major event' takes place
THREE busy roads in Dublin city centre are set to close for HOURS next weekend as a "major event" takes place. Drivers have been warned that the annual Dublin Advertisement 2 The annual Dublin Pride Parade is set to take place next weekend Credit: Naoise Culhane 2 And several major roads will be closed for the occasion Credit: Getty Images - Getty Taking place on Saturday June 28, the event is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators across the capital. And the closures will affect three key locations across Dublin 1 and The first set of road closures will take effect from 8:00am to 4:00pm, impacting O'Connell Street Upper, O'Connell Street Lower and Cathal Brugha Street. From 11:30am to 4:00pm, further restrictions will apply to major routes including Eden Quay, Custom House Quay, Memorial Bridge, Lombard Street East, Westland Row, Lincoln Place and parts of Merrion Street. Advertisement READ MORE IN MOTORS A third set of closures will be in place from 6:00am until 10:00pm, covering Merrion Square South, Merrion Square East, Fitzwilliam Street Lower and Mount Street Upper. The road closures are part of a It reads on their website: 'A request has been received from Dublin LGBTQ Pride CLG for the temporary closure of the following road to facilitate Dublin Pride Event on the date and times listed below: 'Location - O'Connell Sreet Upper, Eden Quay, Merrion Square South from 06.00hrs to 22.00hrs.' Advertisement Most read in Motors Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, allowing people to move freely during the celebrations. However, Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Eastbound traffic from Sarsfield Quay heading towards the North City will be rerouted via Blackhall Place, Manor Street, Prussia Street, North Circular Road, Portland Row, Seville Place and Guild Street. Drivers heading eastbound from Sarsfield Quay to the South City will be diverted via Watling Street, Thomas Street and High Street. Advertisement Those travelling westbound from North Wall Quay towards the North City will need to follow a diversion through Guild Street, Seville Place, Portland Row, North Circular Road, Dorset Street Lower and Upper, Bolton Street, King Street North and Queen Street. PLAN AHEAD & USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES Westbound traffic heading for the South City will be diverted via Samuel Beckett Bridge, Sir Roger's Quay, Cardiff Lane, Macken Street, Grand Canal Street Lower and Upper. They will then be diverted to Haddington Road, Mespil Road, Leeson Street Lower, St Stephen's Green, Cuffe Street, Redmond's Hill, Augier Street and South Great George's Street. Advertisement Local residents, commuters and visitors are now being asked to plan ahead and use alternative routes wherever possible. Event organisers are also urging the public to check travel updates regularly, especially if they need to Dublin City Council added: "Pedestrian access will be maintained." For the latest information on road closures, travel advice, and parade details, visit the Dublin city Council website at Advertisement
The Journal
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Head of garda group: 'The moment I came out, it became the most insignificant part of me'
THE PRESIDENT OF a garda group has said that he hopes that talking about his sexuality will help his colleagues. Mark O'Meara is currently the elected head of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) which represents rank and file members of Ireland's police force. In an interview published in the Garda Review, the group's magazine, he speaks about his own experiences of being a gay man in An Garda Síochána. O'Meara, who was first a member of the Metropolitan Police in London when he left Thurles, Co Tipperary in the 1980s. He then came home to Ireland and became a garda. He said his decision to speak openly was to give people an understanding of the difficulties he faced coming to terms with his sexuality and that he hopes it will help other gardaí. 'I am now in the final year of my presidency and I felt it was important to talk about this while I still had the platform of the position that I hold and hope to get across my experience of being a gay man within An Garda Síochána and perhaps inspire others to know it is okay to be open and honest about who they are,' he said. O'Meara said that he felt it would be 'disingenuous' if he didn't speak up. 'I just wanted to be open and honest and if this interview even helps one member of the GRA and indeed, An Garda Síochána, then it will have been worth it,' he added. The interview is the GRA's way also to mark Dublin Pride Parade on 28 June – it will come on 10th anniversary of the marriage equality referendum. Mark is married now to his partner Rory but he was married previously. In the interview he explained how difficult that time was for him as he was finding a way to be open about his sexuality with his loved ones from the previous relationship. Advertisement 'Having hidden my sexuality most of my life, I think now that I can be open and honest on how difficult that time of my life was, and I have no doubt so too, do many other gay people who can't, or who are afraid to come out, and so might suffer damaging mental and physical health. 'It's not being the real you, the complete you, that affects your relationships with others, in my case it was with my ex-wife and our two children,' he added. O'Meara said his experience of life in An Garda Síochána was positive and when he came out to his colleagues he was working in the driving school in Templemore Garda College. He said he was worried, before telling his colleagues, that he would be outed at work and keeping the secret was the most difficult time for him. 'But there's no doubt that for a number of years I struggled to have the confidence I have now. 'There were times when my daily prevailing thought was 'will someone look at me and say, he looks gay' and so up to the point where I came out, my sexuality was definitely one of the most difficult issues I ever dealt with. 'But the moment I came out it immediately became the most insignificant part of me, it meant nothing,' he added. Despite those struggles O'Meara does not regret coming out sooner. 'If I came out sooner, or even been conscious of how I really felt, that I wouldn't have married or had my children, perhaps wouldn't have then met my husband. 'So the timing and what happened over the years is nothing that I regret as I wouldn't be the man I am or have the things I have today. 'So I have no regrets as such, just perhaps guilt, some justifiable, some unjustified because you find solace in the fact that you were trying to protect your kids from hurt and pain. 'But in the end, it was for the best as my kids now see a much happier dad and we have a brilliant relationship,' he added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
