Watch: 'Pride is a chance for everyone to come out and show their colours'

The rain this bank holiday weekend couldn’t stop Cork Pride as hundreds flocked to Grand Parade to take part in this year’s annual festival.

Marking the last day of Cork LGBTQ+ Pride 2024, the port party at Kennedy Quay came to a close with stellar performances from Eurovision sensation Bambie Thug, alongside J90, a Lady Gaga tribute, a Cher tribute, drag performers, DJ Ruth, and the winner of Pride’s Got Talent.

With people of all ages, genders and ethnicities taking to the streets to sing, dance, chat with friends and represent the queer community, there was certainly an infectious feeling of happiness circulating though the crowd with rainbow flags, hats, ears and capes a’ plenty.

The parade kicked off from 2pm, which saw groups of parade goers march down Patrick St with bubbles, music, streamers and banners flying proudly, followed by the port party from 3pm.

Speaking to The Echo, long-time Pride paraders Bridget Roche (54), and Louise Walsh (61), reflected on the progression that Ireland has made as a whole since the 80s, when both Cork women spoke of a time they had to travel abroad to celebrate.

“I’ve been coming to Pride for 30 plus years,” said Ms Roche.

“It’s way different compared to years ago, there was only a handful of us.

“It’s huge now, it’s brilliant.” 

Ms Walsh said: “There was so many people who emigrated in the 80s, so people went to London where there was a huge London pride.

“So before there was pride in Dublin, Cork, Belfast or anywhere else, a lot of people would go to London to actually see more than a handful of their friends gathered together.

“But being here today, it’s amazing.” 

With many interviewees touching on the darker elements that loom over the cheerfulness of the celebrations, the sweeping consensus felt amongst PRIDE-goers was that the people of Cork foster a safe and inclusive environment for of the community to immerse themselves in, despite rising transphobic demonstrations seen across the country.

Local Cork Drag Queen, Toxic, said: "Pride is just a chance for everyone to come out and show their colours.

“People can go as big, as small, or as comfortable as they want, and even the fact that people are still here in the rain just shows that people care so much about it.

“We push to each other, and the relationships within the community are so strong.”

The 26-year-old performer was accompanied by fellow Drag Queen and friend Laurie Hell (27) who said: “It's not always safest to be who we are, and for me, as a straight female, I am a massive ally to the community.

“We’re so lucky to have each other.” 

Further backing this sentiment, another of Cork’s beloved Drag Queens, Lucina Schynning (24) said: “In drag, on a week that isn’t pride, it can feel a little dangerous because you’re seen as an outsider, which sometimes puts a target on your back.

“But for the festival, there has been so much thought put into safety, and honestly I've never really felt in danger in Cork, so it makes me really proud to be from here.” 

Ms Schynning went on to say that despite Pride being “the pinnacle of the year” for the community, as a performer she was looking forward to going home at the end of the night and getting a “really good” sleep following a week of energetic celebrations.

Another parade goer, Paul Anderson, a Wexford native said: “Where I’m from there are no other queer people around me, so until I came to Pride, that was literally the first time I met two or three other gay people in the same place.

“So for me, it’s about connecting to all of that, because I don’t get to normally.

“I think Ireland has gotten better, but there’s still ups and downs, it’s a mixed bag.

“But today, people get to see people being happy, joyful, and themselves,” they added. “It’s so cool to be surrounded by this.” 

Pride festivities will continue throughout tonight across the city with a special performance from Bambie Thug alongside Mockie Ah! Drag Haus queens at The Pavilion from 9pm.