Pride of the Déise 2025 Announces Full 13-Day Festival Programme
Waterford’s grassroots LGBTQIA+ festival returns 1–13 June with a packed schedule of inclusive, community-focused events.
WATERFORD, IRELAND
12th May 2025
Pride of the Déise, Waterford’s volunteer-led LGBTQIA+ festival, has announced the full programme for its sixth annual celebration. Taking place from 1 to 13 June 2025, this year’s festival offers 13 days of community-driven events, performances, workshops, and gatherings – with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion.
The majority of events are free or subsidised, reflecting the festival’s commitment to removing financial barriers and ensuring all members of the LGBTQIA+ community can participate.
Amy O’Riordan, Chairperson, says: “As a community-run festival, Pride of the Déise is rooted in the values of accessibility, solidarity, and joy. We know that real inclusion means removing barriers – financial, social, and structural – so that everyone in our LGBTQIA+ community can take part, not just a few. That’s why we’ve worked hard this year to ensure the majority of our events are free or low-cost, and that our spaces reflect the needs of the people we serve. Pride belongs to all of us, and we’re proud to keep building it together, here in Waterford. We’re very grateful to Waterford City and County Council for their continued support through the festival grant fund which enables us to create these spaces across the city and county.”
The festival opens on Sunday 1 June with Oíche Draíochta: An Evening of Queer Magic & Mischief, a unique and immersive event blending performance, protest, and celebration in a rural location. Transport from Waterford City will be provided for guests, included in the ticket costs as well as a cocktail or mocktail on arrival, and finger food.
“Traditionally, we wouldn’t recommend eating or drinking in the Otherworld – but don’t worry, the wards are strong and everything’s above board! We’re incredibly excited about this unique event, set in the historic surroundings of a former Famine workhouse at Coach House Coffee in Kilmacthomas, just off the Waterford Greenway in the heart of the Déise hills,” says Lora O’Brien, POTD’s PRO and Irish folklore expert. “We have some amazing performers lined up, as well as three fabulous categories for our ballroom-style catwalks: Fae Realness, Legendary Royals, and Púca Punk. Whether you’re serving glamour, myth, or mischief, there’s a category for you. And yes – there will be prizes, so bring your best and leave it all on the runway!”
A wide-ranging programme follows, including:
● Pride March and Block Party (Saturday 7 June): The festival’s flagship day begins with a community breakfast, followed by the Pride March through Waterford City. The day continues with the annual Block Party in the Cultural Quarter featuring live music, performances, a growing Queer Market of artists and makers, and a Quiet Space in partnership with Neuropride Ireland at Waterford Gallery of Art.
● Sober Roller Disco (Wednesday 11 June): In partnership with Southland Sirens Roller Derby, this inclusive, alcohol-free event offers a fun and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ people to connect and celebrate.
● LGBT+ History Talks (Monday 9 June): An online evening event exploring Ireland’s LGBTQIA+ histories and stories, highlighting resilience, activism, and cultural memory.
● Poetry Workshop with Sasha Terfous (Wednesday 4 June): A creative writing workshop at Waterford Central Library led by acclaimed poet and spoken word artist Sasha Terfous.
● Queer Tramore Beach Meetup (Thursday 5 June): A casual social gathering hosted by Queer Tramore, a new local group creating space for LGBTQIA+ community at the seaside.
● Hope and Courage Collective Workshop (Tuesday 3 June): A workshop focused on understanding and countering far-right narratives, and building collective resilience.
● Wikipedia Workshop (Thursday 12 June): Hosted by Wikimedia Community Ireland, this bilingual Irish-English event invites participants to help increase LGBTQIA+ visibility online by contributing to Vicipéid (as Gaeilge) or Wikipedia (in English.)
“Pride is for everyone in our community, which is why we’ve made it a priority to engage with as many voices as possible. Earlier this year, we launched an open call for ideas and collaborations – the result is a programme shaped by community input, reflecting a wide range of interests, ages, and identities,” say Gwen, Events Team Lead. “One event I’m especially proud of is our collaboration with the Hope and Courage Collective. As the rise in fascism and hatred continues to target our community, we believe the most powerful response is collective action rooted in solidarity, hope – and yes, a bit of queer love. Looking ahead, we’re excited to keep the momentum going beyond June. Our first Winter Pride community day took place last December, and we’re planning even more regular meetups and events throughout the year with our growing committee and wider community.”
The festival closes on Friday 13 June with Lash Out: Pride Edition, a high-energy drag show and final celebration, featuring performances from across the region and beyond.
In addition, Pride of the Déise will be launching a call for submissions during the festival for the Queer Vision Film Festival, which this year will be held as a standalone autumn event. The festival team is inviting queer filmmakers to submit works for consideration in what has become a much-anticipated cultural strand of the Pride programme.
Pride of the Déise is proudly supported by the Waterford City and County Council Festivals Grant Fund and continues to operate as a 100% volunteer-run initiative, built by and for the
local LGBTQIA+ community. For full event listings, booking links, and accessibility details, visit www.prideofthedeise.ie – and keep an eye on our socials! There will be more casual meet up events added to the schedule over the next couple of weeks to bring the community together. For press enquiries or interview requests, please contact prideofthedeise@gmail.com
