Roscommon Pride is gearing up for its first ever Pride march and a weekend full of festivities. Will Keane, a well-known LGBTQIA+ activist from Roscommon, has been named the Grand Marshall for the event. The inaugural march will take place on Saturday, 24th of August, starting at 2 pm at The Quad in Roscommon Town.
Keane, who played a significant role in Roscommon’s campaign for marriage equality in 2015, expressed his excitement about the event. He highlighted the significance of celebrating diversity and the positive societal changes in Roscommon and Ireland.
Reflecting on his own journey, Keane said: “Looking back at a 14-year-old version of myself, I could never have imagined being fully accepted in my own town. To imagine 30 years later that Roscommon town is preparing itself to celebrate its first Pride Festival is a testament to the societal change within our country and county. I couldn’t be prouder to be Roscommon Pride’s first Grand Marshall”.
Will added: “Change is rarely sudden and not always obvious. A rainbow flag beside a till, a Pride sticker in the window or an accepting smile can build a person’s sense of worth, sense of belonging, and sense of acceptance. I’m overjoyed that the rainbow flag will fly proudly over this celebratory weekend”.
Event Manager, Karina Murray, emphasised that Roscommon Pride is more than just a Pride march. She stated: “The entire weekend will send a powerful statement of inclusivity to the whole county and will act as a platform to launch a year-round LGBTQAI+ community group in Roscommon. We invite everyone, LGBTQAI+ folks and their allies, to join us in making history together”.
Event highlights
The weekend kicks off on Friday night, August 23rd, with Drag Bingo at the Red Parrot public house on the Square, hosted by Donatello.
Saturday begins with a discussion on LGBTQ+ resilience at The Quad Youth Centre on the Circular Road, followed by the Pride March at 2 pm. Post-march, there will be a Family Fun Day in Loughnaneane Park, featuring performances and a ‘Pooch of Pride’ contest for the best dressed pupster in town.
The celebrations continue into the night with a Pride Party at The Coachman’s Inn on Castle Street, featuring performances by The HAUS of KWÉN and a DJ set. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with a family-friendly Colour Run and a special film screening in Boyle.
*For ticketing and pre-registration and full details of the weekend line-up and events, visit www.roscommonpride.ie.
