Dublin awash with colour as tens of thousands take part in Pride parade

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Dublin to mark this year’s Pride parade.

Organisers said there were more than 12,000 people marching in the annual parade.

This year’s event also celebrated a milestone 10 years of marriage equality.

The capital’s streets were filled with an array of colour, music and dance as the parade made its way to Merrion Square’s Pride Village for speeches and entertainment.

Among those taking part was Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers.

Citing the previous work of the Government to address gay rights and equality, Mr Martin told the crowd at Merrion Square that he is aware “our work is far from done”.

Mr Martin was forced to raise his voice as a small number of protesters shouted for better trans rights and health care access during his speech.

The Fianna Fail leader said: “LGBTIQ+ people in Ireland today still face a myriad of challenges, and the Government is committed to bolstering our efforts to address these challenges and delivering for our LGBTIQ+ citizens.

“There are global trends of increased harassment and persecution of LGBTIQ+ people across the world, which make many of our LGBTIQ+ citizens feel deeply concerned and unsafe.

“This is not the vision for Ireland that we are striving to build.”

Mr Martin continued: “Our goal is to build a society in which LGBTIQ+ people can live safe, inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives in an accepting and compassionate Ireland.

“The new LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy will promote and respect the right of LGBTIQ+ people to live their lives safely, free of harassment and violence.

“It will advance health and wellbeing outcomes through improved investment and access to a range of health services.

“It will build on initiatives already undertaken within the business community and by employers so that LGBTIQ+ people are enabled to participate fully within the workplace.

“This new strategy will seek to deliver a fairer and more inclusive Ireland, and Government departments and state agencies are determined to work together to that end.”

The grand marshal of Dublin Pride, Ruadhan O Criodain, who has long advocated for LGBT+ rights, told the crowd in Merrion Square: “We all want better futures for the next generation of queer people, but without education or health care, trans people can’t see those futures for ourselves.

“I know you won’t let our community die for the want of a future. I know that each of you will stand with trans people, I know that you will stand up and fight back.

“I know that you won’t give in to the transphobe you’ve seen take hold in the UK, because we are stronger than that.

“The far right and the TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism) movement want to divide the LGBT community.”

“They want to isolate your trans siblings, because then it’ll be easier to tear us all apart.

“If they come for us first, they will come for all of you next. But I won’t let that happen to my community, and I know you’ll promise me the same.

Dublin Mayor Emma Blaine said: “Today, we march through the heart of our capital, a city that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusion and champions equality.

“Pride is more than a parade. It’s a powerful statement of love, of visibility and of resilience.

“It’s a celebration of how far we have come and a reminder of the work still ahead.

“Dublin has a proud history of standing up for the rights of its citizens.

“We remember today, the trailblazers, the activists and the everyday people who fought and continue to fight for dignity, respect and justice.”

She added: “To our LGBTQ+ young people, know that you are valued, you are seen, and you belong, this city stands with you.

“To all the allies here today, thank you for walking beside us, not just today, but every day.”

The parade started at O’Connell Street at 12.30pm, and travelled along Eden Quay and Custom House Quay before crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge, up Lombard Street and Westland Row before finishing at Merrion Square.

The non-ticketed festival at the Pride Village included music, food stalls, acts and speeches on the main stage.

In his last year as president, Michael D Higgins offered his warmest greetings ahead of the Pride parade.

He said: “This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, dignity, and joy of our LGBT+ communities.

“It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today.

“In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland.

“In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, a moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be: inclusive, generous, an Ireland that is unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens.

“Yet, we must also acknowledge that the journey is not complete.

“A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity.

“Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally.

“In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever.”

There were road closures in the city centre.