Friday, August 30, 2013

Pride of Limerick in ‘festival of joy’

The Pride of Limerick: the festival committee at the launch in the George Boutique hotel. Picture: Yvonne FahyLIMERICK’S Pride Festival will be filled with “love, celebration and joy” over ten days, while also marking the LGBT community’s push to tackle marriage equality in Ireland.

The 10 day festival was launched in the George Boutique hotel on Monday evening, with organisers stressing their pride in Limerick as an “accepting and amazing city”.

Starting on Friday and running until September 8, the festival will feature music events, outdoor picnics, workshops, a charity abseil of Thomond Park to raise funds, theatre and art events, while the Pink Parade will be the centrepiece of the extravaganza on September 7.

Limerick Pride chairperson Dave Cuddihy paid tribute to the people of Limerick, who “make the place so special”.

“The support for this year’s Pride has been overwhelming and I can say with great ease that I am proud to be part of such an amazing and accepting city,” he said.

“We hope you will find a lot of interest during the week, as we have tried to keep a good blend of community, cultural and entertainment events.

“Above all we look forward to welcoming hundreds of people to the city for our Pride Parade,” he added.

Those taking part in the parade are being urged to don pink in support of the marriage equality campaign, explained Dave.

“We want to send a clear message to the Government that the good people of Limerick are proud supporters of love and equality for all,” he explained.

Richard Lynch of ILoveLimerick.com said the festival would be “all about love, celebration and joy”.

“We marched for marriage equality in 2008 and are doing the same five years later. We really want to highlight marriage equality as well as Pieta House. This year we will be doing different types of fundraisers and it’s going to be fantastic.”