Inishowen Pride
Parade 2023 in Buncrana
26.05.23
Following the success of
Donegal’s Pride Parade in Buncrana last June, Inishowen
Pride have confirmed plans for the 2023 parade.
Spokesperson for Inishowen Pride, Elizabeth Curran,
said: “Building on the seismic success of the 2022 Pride
parade, we are so excited to announce that we will be
back in 2023 with another community-led pride parade at
3pm on Sunday 4th June 2023 in Buncrana followed by a
fantastic evening of entertainment." |
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Elizabeth added: “The 2022
Pride Parade was such a wonderful event for Inishowen
and County Donegal, gaining media attention locally,
nationally, and internationally. Buncrana looked
amazing as the community rallied together in preparation
for its’ first Pride Parade. On entering the town,
visitors were welcomed by the rainbow flag, raised
proudly by Buncrana Tidy Towns Committee, passing by the
flags at the local sports clubs and then on towards the
main street, where the businesses had decorated their
windows and shop fronts with rainbow flags and bunting
for the month of June.
Poignant murals were painted and updated by local arts
groups, while on the day of the parade, flags were
flying high on the lamp poles lining the main street.
There was a happy buzz in the air for the duration of
weekend, as thousands of people of all ages arrived to
Buncrana to line the route, waving their flags to show
their support and solidarity for our LGBTQI+ community
near and far."
Ms Curran continued: “We were overjoyed last year to
have received so much support for a Pride Parade in
Inishowen/Donegal. Our small team worked incredibly
hard to pull such a big event together in a short space
of time and we didn’t do it alone. We adopted a
grass-roots approach and sought the help of the
Inishowen community to help along the way. We couldn’t
have done it without the support of the local business
community, individuals at home and away, who donated and
supported the parade and Donegal County Council and a
high number of the Inishowen/Donegal County councillors
also gave their support. The committee wish to thank
sincerely each person who helped in any way to make what
once was only a dream, a reality for so many. We can’t
wait to see you all back in Inishowen again for
Inishowen for Donegal Pride Sunday June 4th 2023.”
This year preparations for Inishowen Pride festival are
well underway with numerous banner making workshops
taking place across the peninsula facilitated by
Clonmany Community Centre, Artlink Fort Dunree and
Foroige. The Mill Conservation Group also held a
fundraiser for Pride last weekend by hosting a fabulous
Rainbow Tea Party.
The Inishowen Pride festival will kick off with the
unveiling of this year’s pride mural and dance flashmob
on Sunday May 28th in Bodywork’s Buncrana at 1:30pm and
everyone is welcome to attend. The mural is specially
commissioned by artist Carl Porter, who is known for his
Derry Girls mural which is a huge tourist attraction in
Derry.
Inishowen Pride weekend has a extensive programme of
events. Changemakers and Disappear Here Film Club will
host a series of LGBTQ+ themed short films on Friday 2nd
June at 7.30pm in the Exchange, followed by a panel
discussion. The film screening will take place alongside
the photo exhibition “Where Love is Illegal”. Inishowen
Pride have partnered with the Witness Exchange
Organisation to display this internationally acclaimed
photo exhibition for the first time in Ireland.
The Inishowen Pride Walk is scheduled to take place
Saturday 3rd June at 10.30pm. Local performers the Henry
Girls and Jazz singer Jaime Nanci will perform at a
fundraising concert for Pride on Saturday night at 8pm
in The Railway Tavern with the doors opening to all
following the concert from 10.30pm with DJ entertainment
on until late.
The parade participants are asked to gather on Sunday
4th at 1.30pm on the grounds of Scoil Mhuire and groups
are asked to register online in advance. Local Links
Bus service are providing return transport to Buncrana
on the day of the parade from Moville, Malin and
Letterkenny. There are limited places so we ask people
to book their seat early to avoid disappointment.
Elizabeth concluded: *We are currently looking for
people to support Inishowen Pride 2023 in the role
of volunteer stewards, those with experience in
communications/marketing, photographers and
videographers, and creative arts. We are also open to
donations and sponsorship from individuals and
businesses who would like to help us make this Pride
even better than last year. To register your interest
email:
inishowenpride@gmail.com . |
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