Athlone's Summer Pride will kick off this Saturday
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Heartlands Pride will reach an exciting milestone in June, as the first ever Summer Pride Parade is set to take place on Saturday, June 6.
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.
Running from May 30 to June 7, Summer Pride will kick off this Saturday with a Heartlands Pride Athlone’s fundraiser PRIDEMANIA on Saturday, May 30, at 9pm in the Brazen Monkey.
A makeup workshop with Sheena Bermingham will take place on Sunday, May 31, at 3pm in Venue 4. The fun will continue in Venue 4 at 7pm with a Gayli hosted by August Kirwan. The Snug Bar will host a Deoch agus Caint event at 9pm.
On Monday, June 1, events include Pride & Prose in collaboration with Creatives Roscommon Collective in Monksland Community Park at 1pm. A Trivia Night hosted by Carolina Valdivia will start at 7pm in Gertie Brownes.
A HIV Panel Discussion in collaboration with Athlone Community Radio will be held at Abbey Road Studio on Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30pm.
Ciara Lawless will host a flower crown workshop at Monksland Community Centre on Wednesday, June 3, at 6pm.
On Thursday, June 4, a free HIV and syphilis testing pop-up will take place in St Kieran's Community Centre from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. At 7pm, a candle making workshop with Blackthorn Candles will take place in Dead Centre Brewing.
Kwen’s Pride Bash featuring Bonnie Ann Clyde will take place at The Piano Bar on Friday, June 5, 8pm.
The main day of events will take place on Saturday, June 6. The day will kick off with a free Pride breakfast at 10am in Gertie Brownes.
The Pride Parade meet will take place Dooley’s Flowers at 12pm. The route will move from from Walsh’s Pub (Connaught Street) past Sean’s Bar, across Athlone Town Bridge down Church Street and the sensory zone at John Broderick Street, ending at Burgess Park.
Celebrations will continue at 2pm in Burgess Park with Heartlands Pride Outdoor Festival hosted by Eddie McGuiness. The event will feature performances from Gabrielle and Vali, Aidxn G, Liadh, What's That Smell, Ciara Lawless, and MZ Red Dear.
The Bród queer club night will kick off in The Dark Horse at 7pm.
Athlone Book Store will host a Spoken Word Open Mic at 12 noon on Sunday, June 7. The grand finale will be the Pride Cruise with Viking Mike at 5pm.
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is the official transport partner of Heartlands Pride. Iarnród Éireann have kindly sponsored some free travel tickets. For more information, contact heartlandspride.athlone@gmail.com.