Programme for Athlone's first summer Pride extended
Athlone’s inaugural Summer Pride celebration has been expanded and will now begin at the end of May it has been confirmed.
The Heartlands Pride Athlone Committee have confirmed that the festival will now take place from Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, June 7, following the addition of several new events.
Among these is a fundraising event set for Saturday, May 30 in The Brazen Monkey. The programme will include activities in both Athlone and Monksland, with support from Westmeath County Council and Roscommon County Council.
Organisers are currently inviting community groups and organisations to take part in the first Pride Parade, which will take place on June 6 at 1pm. The parade will travel from Connaught Street to Burgess Park. Volunteers are also being sought to act as stewards on the day.
The parade will be held in memory of the late Michael Woods, who had sought to organise Athlone’s first Pride parade in 2021 before plans were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Woods passed away in 2023, shortly before Heartlands Pride Athlone was formally established as a volunteer-led organisation.
In preparation for the event, the group is collaborating with community-based artist Aoife Doolan on the creation of a Síle na Gig float, supported by Creative Ireland.
Vendors are also invited to take part in the outdoor festival, with organisers noting that participants must have their own insurance and marquees.
A highlight of the festival will take place on June 5, when Heartlands Pride Athlone, in collaboration with The Haus of Kwen, will host a special guest appearance by Bonnie Ann Clyde, known from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 7.
Heartlands Pride Athlone’s main sponsors include the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Iarnród Éireann, Westmeath County Council, The Outing Festival, Euro Pride 2028, and Creative Ireland.
The group has also been nominated for the Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Awards 2026, which will take place on June 5.