Dublin Pride Festival 2022 formally launched

Gary Ibbotson 23 Jun 2022

Left to right: Kate Drinane; Rebecca Tallon de Havilland; the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, TD; Philippa Ryder, Chair of Dublin Pride 2022; and Jamie Kenny, at the Dublin Pride 2022 announcement. Photograph: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Dublin Pride Festival 2022 was formally launched today with Minister for Culture Catherine Martin TD, Chair of Dublin Pride Philippa Ryder and the founder of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival Brian Merriman in attendance.

Minister Martin said she was pleased to approve a funding allocation of €54,000 from her Department towards the cultural elements of Dublin Pride 2022.

“The annual Pride festival has grown to become the largest demonstration and celebration for equality and the acceptance of diversity in our society,” she said.

“It is not only an invitation from the LGBTI+ community to everyone to attend the festival events but also to support the progress towards a more fair and inclusive society.

“I hope that the tremendous organisational effort will be rewarded with success.

“I send my congratulations and best wishes to the organisers, the participants, their families and friends for a special and enjoyable weekend of Pride.”

Philippa Ryder said that being “able to tell our stories and celebrate our culture and identity is vital to any community.”

“Our artists, performers, poets, and storytellers do that for us, they help us share our culture with other people and that helps us reach peoples’ hearts and minds.

“The Minister’s support has allowed us to support Queer artists and cultural projects, not just during Pride week but throughout the year.

“We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting LGBTQ+ artists who in turn support our community.”

Minister Martin has also announced the approval of a special support allocation of €23,000 towards the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF).

This funding aims to help strengthen the organisational capabilities of the project, help in promoting the festival internationally and enhance overall programming, booking and commissioning for future years.

“After a very difficult period to keep our inclusive LGBT+ theatre viable, this crucial level of support will greatly assist us in reaching our 20^th anniversary in 2023,” Brian Merriman said.

“It will finally allow us to develop and innovate and hopefully will encourage more private sponsorship, so that this unique theatre event can reach its full potential.”