Clare Pride 2026: Five Days of Community and Celebration

Clare Pride 2026 will bring a colourful and wide-ranging programme of events to the county from 16–20 September, led by local LGBTQIA+ organisation QuareClare and supported by Clare Local Development Company. The schedule combines opportunities for conversation, creativity, reflection and celebration, with activities designed to be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

The programme opens in Shannon on Wednesday 16 September with Speaking of Inclusion, a Shannon Toastmasters event at St Senan’s Primary School. Thursday’s events include a Pride Prayer Service at St Columba’s Church of Ireland in Ennis, followed by an LGBTQ+ inclusion workshop in Shannon Town Centre.

Friday 18 September features Pride at the Market at Ennis Farmers Market, an online session on neurodiversity-affirming therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a Culture Night art workshop at Súil Gallery. These events reflect the festival’s emphasis on wellbeing, participation and creative expression.

Saturday 19 September is the centrepiece of the festival. The Clare Pride March will begin at 12.30pm from Barrack Close, Ennis, before the Family Fun Day at glór and Causeway Link from 1pm to 3pm. Families can expect performances, local craft stalls, a puppet show, children’s art workshops and Drag Storytime. The day will also include a queer book club at Scéal Eile Books, a screening of Lesbian Lines at ARC Cinema, and a Clare Pride after-party at the VIP Bar in The Queen’s Hotel.

The programme concludes on Sunday 20 September with a Ballybathers group swim at Bishops Quarter, Ballyvaughan, followed by a stand-up comedy workshop and show with Breda Larkin at Ennis Community Centre.

QuareClare says Pride is not solely for LGBTQIA+ people, but for the whole community. As the group continues to grow, Clare Pride offers an important local space for solidarity, friendship and a more visibly welcoming county. Programme below: