LATEST: The full event line-up has been announced for Kilkenny Pride

The inaugural Kilkenny Pride Festival begins on Thursday, July 24, launching a four-day programme of events celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and community under the theme ‘Le Chéile’, meaning ‘together’ in Irish.

Kilkenny will host its first Pride Parade on Saturday, July 26, from 1pm.

The parade route sets off from Kilkenny Castle, proceeding from Parade Plaza towards High Street and the Market Yard, before concluding at the Butler Gallery at Evan’s Home on John’s Quay.

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An Garda Síochána will accompany the procession to manage traffic with minimal temporary delays expected en route.

Speaking ahead of the event, co-chair of Kilkenny Pride, Alan Slattery said, “We’re looking forward to celebrating a lively, positive event in the city, and we hope to see lots of people lining the streets, whether they’re walking in the parade or cheering from the sidelines.”

“We have been overwhelmed by the support from businesses and local people, and we’d love the whole city to join in.”

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FAMILY FUN DAY
Following the parade, everyone is welcome to a free Family Fun Day, in association with Butler Gallery, Ossory Youth, and Kilkenny County Council.

Organisers advise to bring a blanket and settle into the gardens at Butler Gallery to enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly fun, sponsored by State Street with performances from Seafall, MARYANN, local poet Samantha Joyce, Antanna, as well as bubbles, face painting, a silks performer and more.

PRIDE LINE-UP
Opening night features two free events, a Nerd Pub Quiz: Pride Edition at Kyteler’s Inn, and Karaoke at Biddy Early’s.

Later, the spotlight turns to comedy as the Kilkenny Home Rule Club hosts Kilkenny’s Comedy Pride, supported by Cartoon Saloon.

The evening features headliner Gearóid Farrelly, recently seen on RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars, joined by popular returning performers Sinéad Walsh and Kate Feeney.

On Friday, the Butler Gallery presents Drag & Draw, an 18+ life drawing class that blends art and performance, with drag artists as models. The session is suitable for beginners and experienced artists.

The festival concludes on a relaxed note with a barbecue on Sunday, sponsored by Lighthouse Studios, followed by an open mic session held in collaboration with Cult Collective at the Kilkenny Home Rule Club.

Walsh’s Toyota brings Pride After Dark at Cleere's Theatre, while Fennelly’s of Callan invites all to enjoy an evening of ceol, craic agus damhsa at Queer Céilí, with live music from Cré and guests.

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YOUTH PRIDE
The Kilkenny Youth Pride Committee (Ossory Youth) has planned youth-focused events as part of Kilkenny’s Pride festival, including an improv show by Dreamstuff Youth Theatre in Ossory Youth, a film screening of “But I’m a Cheerleader” in Young Irish Film Makers and a pre-parade brunch in Ossory Youth.

The full festival programme is available at www.kilkennypride.ie

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