Clare Pride 2026 celebrated county-wide

Clare Pride 2026 took place from 16 to 20 September. Local LGBTQIA+ group QuareClare led the festival, with support from Clare Local Development Company. Across five days, events in Ennis, Shannon and Ballyvaughan brought people together for conversation, creativity, reflection and celebration.

It opened in Shannon on Wednesday with Speaking of Inclusion, a Shannon Toastmasters event at St Senan’s Primary School. On Thursday there was a Pride Prayer Service at St Columba’s Church of Ireland in Ennis, followed by an LGBTQ+ inclusion workshop in Shannon Town Centre.

Friday’s events were Pride at the Market at Ennis Farmers Market, an online session on neurodiversity-affirming therapy, and a Culture Night art workshop at Súil Gallery.

Saturday was the main day. The Clare Pride March set off from Barrack Close, Ennis, at 12.30pm. After that came a Family Fun Day at glór and Causeway Link, with performances, craft stalls, a puppet show, children’s art workshops and Drag Storytime. The day also had a queer book club at Scéal Eile Books, a screening of Lesbian Lines at ARC Cinema, and an after-party at the VIP Bar in The Queen’s Hotel.

The festival closed on Sunday with a Ballybathers group swim at Bishops Quarter, Ballyvaughan, and a stand-up comedy workshop and show with Breda Larkin at Ennis Community Centre.cldc

QuareClare says Pride is for the whole community, not only LGBTQIA+ people. As the group keeps growing, the festival gives Clare a local space for solidarity and friendship, and helps make the county more visibly welcoming.