Update:
A Pride Party Bus Tour featuring drag queens, music, celebrations and free events in towns across the Banner County on Sunday 24th October will kick off the first ever county-wide Clare Pride Festival.
Organised by Quare Clare, a new LGBTQ+ group, the roadshow will launch in Killaloe at 11am, stop off in Shannon, Ennis, Kilkee and Spanish Point and finish up on the Wild Atlantic Way with a fantastic Pride Party at Hotel Doolin, featuring a drag queen cabaret and DJ.
The Party Bus will be wheelchair-accessible and you can join at any stage along the route. You can also follow the tour by car. The Party Bus Tour is free but you need to book a ticket at this Eventbrite link, where you can also find more details: https://clarepride2021.eventbrite.ie. See also the Quare Clare Facebook page.
One of the Quare Clare organisers, Sarah Clancy, who works for Clare PPN and is herself a member of the LGBTQ+ community said: “This is going to be a fantastic weekend for Clare’s LGBTQ+ community and for people who we hope will travel from around Ireland to be with us this weekend. We want our community to be visible and connected to the wider community in Clare.
“We want young and older people in the towns and villages around Ireland to see how rural Ireland too can embrace difference. What better way for us to connect and celebrate than to let Clare do what it’s good at – host one hell of a Pride Festival this October.”
The approximate times for each party stop are as follows:
• 11am: Killaloe – launch at Lakeside Hotel. This will be a youth focused event. Depart Killaloe at 12.15pm.
• 1:15pm: Shannon – Skycourt Shopping Centre. Depart Shannon at 1.35pm.
• 2pm: Ennis – venue TBC. Finger food and celebrations. Depart Ennis at 3.15pm
• 4:15pm Kilkee. Depart Kilkee at 5pm
• 5:30pm: Spanish Point – Armada Hotel. Finger food and refreshments.
• 6.30pm: Hotel Doolin.
The tour will finish at Hotel Doolin where the Pride Party will kick off at 8pm, with a drag queen cabaret and a DJ. Tickets for the evening party, which is for over-18s only and is sponsored by Hotel Doolin, are €12, with free tickets available for anyone who can’t afford to pay. Book tickets for the party at this link:https://clareprideparty2021.eventbrite.ie
There will be a free bus back to Ennis on Monday morning for those who need it.
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and social events. Anyone from the LGBTQ+ community in Clare who would like to get involved in Quare Clare can email lgbtq.clare@gmail.com to find out more.
Quare Clare was established as the result of a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, Clare Women’s Network, Clare Local Development Company, Rape Crisis Midwest and GOSHH! and supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council.
History will be made in the Banner this month when the first ever county-wide Clare Pride Festival takes place during the October Bank Holiday weekend.
A day of free events in towns across Clare on Sunday 24th October, organised by Quare Clare, will culminate in a fantastic Pride Party in Hotel Doolin with cabaret, DJ and finger food.
The Quare Clare Pride Party will kick off at 8pm at Hotel Doolin, with a ticket price of just €12 and with free tickets available to anyone who might find the cost a barrier to having a fantastic pride night. The party, which is for over-18s only, is kindly sponsored by Hotel Doolin.
One of the Quare Clare organisers, Sarah Clancy, who works for Clare PPN and is herself a member of the LGBTQ+ community said: “This is going to be a fantastic weekend for Clare’s LGBTQ+ community and for people who we hope will travel from around Ireland to be with us this weekend. We want our community to be visible and connected to the wider community in Clare.
“We want young and older people in the towns and villages around Ireland to see how rural Ireland too can embrace difference. What better way for us to connect and celebrate than to let Clare do what it’s good at – host one hell of a Pride Party this October.”
Elaine D’Alton of Clare Women’s Network said: “A series of Pride events in towns across the county will take place during the day on Sunday 24th October, finishing up in Doolin in time for the Pride Party. Details of these daytime events which will be free and open to all, will be announced very shortly.
“The ticket price for the party at Hotel Doolin includes a contribution to a ticket for someone who might otherwise not be able to afford it. Anyone in this position should select a free ticket on the booking form, but for those who can afford it we’d appreciate if they could pay for their ticket.”
You can book a ticket for the Quare Clare Pride Party at this Eventbrite link, which is also accessible via the Quare Clare and Clare PPN Facebook pages.
“We are inviting people from across Ireland to Clare Pride Festival and we will share options for accommodation in Doolin on www.clareppn.ie and email them to everyone who books a ticket. On Monday 25th October, the mood will be more chilled, with ‘morning after’ activities organised including yoga and meditation, followed by a good-bye cuppa to send everyone on their way.”
“Anyone travelling to Clare and making a weekend of it will be able to take in a hike along the Cliffs of Moher or enjoy some of the beautiful scenery the day after.”
Quare Clare is a new group that has held online meetings and social events. Anyone from the LGBTQ+ community in Clare who would like to get involved in Quare Clare can email lgbtq.clare@gmail.com to find out more.
Quare Clare was established as the result of a short-term project run jointly by Clare Public Participation Network, Clare Women’s Network, Clare Local Development Company, Rape Crisis Midwest and GOSHH! and supported by The Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council.
Right. We're inviting you all to Clare for Quare Clare's first ever Pride Party night, kindly sponsored by Hotel Doolin. October 24th 8 pm tickets at the link below. This party will follow a day of mini pride events around Clarehttps://t.co/0wnEti8Y7s
— Quare Clare (@LGBTQ_Clare) October 7, 2021