This year, we're expanding Pride even more! Our theme is Existence as Resistance, that simply being as members of the LBGTQIA+ is seen as political, and in a time where those who want to see less of us, we refuse to make ourselves small. So we're having almost 2 full weeks of Pride of the Déise from Sunday June 1st to Friday June 13th. From the popular history talk, to a Boots The House Down drag show with Lash Out. From socials as Gaeilge and by the sea, to our Oíche Draíochta extravagansa ball. From a roller disco with the adults, to a variety of youth events. We have something for everyone. We at Pride of the Déise try to make our events and the festival as a whole as accessible and inclusive as possible, that's why our community feedback form was so important for us to be able to run the types of events the community wants to see. We are by the community, for the community. With all that said, our full schedule is below and stay tuned for updates!

Sunday June 1st

Monday June 2nd

Pride Picnic in the Park

Community Picnic | 11:00 – 15:00 | People’s Park, Waterford
Back again as a community favourite from 2024.
Bring your blankets, snacks, and pals for a sunny, relaxed afternoon of queer joy in the park. Family-friendly and free to attend. There will be some football-related activities from Déise Pride FC and more activities! 

Tuesday June 3rd

Hope and Courage Collective Workshop

Community Workshop | 18:00 – 20:00 | Location TBA
Join the Hope and Courage Collective for an empowering, hands-on workshop on collective action, strategic storytelling, and community resilience in the face of rising hate.

Workshop Overview
Led by Emily Duffy (they/them), Communications and Narrative Lead at Hope and Courage Collective, this workshop will focus on how far-right narratives gain traction — and how we can counter them with messages rooted in care, justice, and solidarity. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, participants will explore how to respond to hate without feeding it, how to open up space for meaningful dialogue, and how to craft messages that bring people in, rather than shut them out. Whether you're organising, creating, or simply want to shift the story in your community, this session will offer tools to help you connect, persuade, and build power.

About the Facilitator
Emily Duffy is a narrative strategist, grassroots campaigner, and community organiser. At Hope and Courage Collective, they specialise in developing communication strategies that centre courage, care, and collective action. Emily is also a writer whose work explores grief, identity, and resistance.

About the Organisation:
The Hope and Courage Collective is a national civil society organisation working to counter far-right extremism and hate in Ireland. Formerly known as FRO, they collaborate with community groups, trade unions, activists, and civil society to ensure people have the tools they need to challenge hate and build solidarity in their communities.

Wednesday June 4th

Poetry Workshop with Sash Terfous

Poetry and Creative Writing | 17:30 – 19:30  | Waterford Central Library

Join us for an intimate creative writing workshop with one of Ireland’s most powerful poetic voices. Sasha Terfous, current Poet Laureate of Wexford (Poetry Ireland’s Poetry Towns initiative), will guide participants in exploring identity, resilience, and creative expression through poetry.

Whether you're new to writing or an experienced wordsmith, this workshop offers a supportive space to develop your voice and connect through the shared act of storytelling.

About Sasha Terfous:
Sasha Terfous is a leading figure in Ireland’s spoken word scene. Her work, grounded in activism, speaks with lyrical precision to themes of identity, injustice, and hope. She has collaborated with cultural icons like Glen Hansard, Stephen Rea, and Mary Robinson, and worked with international institutions including The Adrian Brinkerhoff Foundation and Wunderman Thompson. Her poetry has addressed everything from the Black Lives Matter movement to environmental justice, always with striking honesty and creative depth. Sasha is currently working on her first poetry collection, due for release in 2026.

Ticket/Booking Link: Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates! 

Thursday June 5th

Queer Tramore Beach Meetup

Casual Meetup | 15:30 | Tramore Beach

A relaxed seaside social hosted by Queer Tramore – come as you are, bring what you like, and enjoy the queer company by the waves. 

Friday June 6th

Dance workshop with Bonnie Boux

Movement Workshop | 18:30 - 20:00 | Garter Lane Arts Centre

Get moving with the iconic Bonnie Boux in this beginner-friendly, all-bodies-welcome dance class full of sass, sparkle, and self-expression.

Ticket/Booking Link: Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates!

Saturday June 7th

Community Breakfast, Pride March, & Block Party
Pride Saturday | From 10:30 | Waterford City

Celebrate Pride in full colour with a day packed with connection, protest, celebration, and community care across Waterford City.

Community Breakfast

🕥 10:30 – 12:30 

📍 Tower Hotel Waterford
Start the day by fuelling up with a relaxed community breakfast – a chance to gather, connect, and meet before the March. All welcome.

Ticket/Booking Link: Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates! 

Pride March

🕐 Gathering from 12:45 
🗣️ Speeches at 13:15 
🚶 March departs at 13:45 
📍 Usual route through Waterford City
Raise your flags and voices for visibility, protest, and queer joy. This is a grassroots, community-led march open to all who walk in solidarity.

Pride Block Party

🕑 14:00 - 21:00
📍 Cultural Quarter, O’Connell Street
Our biggest celebration of the year! Join us for a day of live music, drag performances, DJs, dancing, and community celebration in the heart of the city.

Queer Market

🕑 14:00 - 17:00
📍 Community Hub, Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ), O'Connell Street
Explore art, crafts, zines, and creations from local queer makers and artists. The market gets bigger and better every year – don’t miss it!

Quiet Space with NeuroPride Ireland

🕑 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Waterford Gallery of Art (WGOA)
Need a break from the crowds? Visit our sensory-friendly quiet space curated in collaboration with NeuroPride Ireland – a calm and welcoming haven for rest and recharge.

Sunday June 8th

Community Stories Day

Spoken Word, Music & Comedy | 14:00 - 18:00 | Venue TBA

A celebration of queer voices through storytelling, poetry, live music, and laughter. Share your story or come support others.

Sign Up Link: Coming Soon! 

Ticket/Booking Link: Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates!

Monday June 9th

Online Queer History Talks

History Presentations and Panel Discussion | 19:00 - 21:00 | Online via Zoom

Join us online for a series of short talks exploring Ireland’s queer histories and how they inform our future.

Ticket/Booking Link: Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates! 

Tuesday June 10th

Queercal Comhrá

Sóisialta dhátheangach | Bilingual Social Meetup 

19:00 – 22:00
Jordan’s American Bar, Cé na nGabhar / Merchant’s Quay

Bígí linn do thráthnóna suaimhneach lán le comhrá, gáire agus dlúthpháirtíocht i bpobal LADT+ i mBáir Mheiriceánach Jordan. Is spás sóisialta é Queercal Cómhrá ina dtagann Gaeil aiteacha le chéile - idir chainteoirí líofa agus foghlaimeoirí - chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid i spás fáilteach agus spreagúil.

Join us for an evening of relaxed conversation, laughter, and queer connection at Jordan’s American Bar. Queercal Cómhrá is a social space where LGBTQIA+ Irish speakers and learners come together to use the language in a welcoming and encourgaing setting.

Tá an tsraith Queercal Cómhrá ag leathnú ar fud na tíre, ag cur spásanna ar fáil do Ghaeil aiteacha+aeracha chun bhualadh le chéile, ceiliúradh agus comhrá a dhéanamh as Gaeilge agus as Béarla. Níl leibhéal áirithe Gaeilge ag teastáil - tá fáilte roimh chách.

This growing meetup series is creating space across Ireland for Queer Gaels to connect, celebrate, and reclaim the Irish language through joy and community. All levels of Irish are welcome - whether you’re fluent, rusty, or just learning your first phrases.

Wednesday June 11th

Thursday June 12th

Ceardlann Vicipéid / Wikipedia Workshop

Aiteachas a chur ar an Spás Digiteach – Queering the Digital Space
Ceardlann Vicipéide | Wikipedia Workshop
13:30 - 16:30

Leabharlann Lár na Cathrach Phort Láirge / Waterford Central Library, Lady Lane

Glac páirt i gceardlann dhátheangach le Pobal Éireann Wikimedia ina ndéanfar iniúchadh ar ghníomhachtú digiteach agus ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le hionadaíocht LADT+ ar líne. Foghlaimeoidh rannpháirtithe conas alt a chruthú, a chur in eagar, agus sonraí iontaofa a chur leis ar Vicipéide (as Gaeilge nó i mBéarla) chun ár bpobail agus ár stair a fheiceáil ar bhealach níos cuimsithí.

Join Wikimedia Community Ireland for a bilingual Irish-English workshop exploring digital activism and the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation online. Participants will learn how to create and edit Wikipedia articles (in Irish or English) to help build a more inclusive, accurate digital landscape for queer stories, people, and history.

Beidh an cheardlann seo mar chuid de dhá fheachtas speisialta:
🖊️ Is Breá le Vicí Bród (Wiki Loves Pride)
🖊️ Aiteachas a chur ar an Vicipéid (Queering Wikipedia)

This workshop is part of two ongoing campaigns:
🖊️ Wiki Loves Pride
🖊️ Queering Wikipedia / Aiteachas a chur ar an Vicipéid

Tá fáilte roimh chách, idir thosaitheoirí agus eolaithe Vicí!
Everyone is welcome - both beginners and Wiki experts!

Molaimid clárú roimh ré chun riachtanais rochtana, aistí bia (le haghaidh sneaiceanna), nó ábhair tacaíochta a chur in iúl dúinn. Cuirfimid sonraí chugat freisin maidir le conas cuntas a chruthú ar Vicipéide ionas gur féidir linn dul i mbun oibre go tapa – tús maith, leath na hoibre!

We invite you to register in advance so we can prepare for any access needs, dietary requirements for snacks and refreshments, or materials you may require. We'll also send instructions on how to set up a Wikipedia account ahead of time — after all, tús maith, leath na hoibre!

Nasc Clárúcháin / Registration Link: Ag teacht go luath! Coinnigh súil ar ár meáin shóisialta – nó cláraigh dár nuachtlitir le haghaidh nuashonruithe! | Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our Socials - or sign up to our newsletter for updates! 

Friday June 13th