Youghal Pride by the Sea 2026 took place on Saturday August 15th to a great reception from the people of Youghal. Since 2019, Youghal Pride has been bringing colour and LGBTI+ visibility to the town, and this year was brighter than ever!
The day started with continental breakfasts at CnD Community Café in Catherine Street, where people could get to know each other, meet up, and buy their flags and Pride souvenirs before gathering at the Moby Dick statue for the Parade. Thanks to the Community Café for their support!
We were delighted to see groups with banners joining the Parade – Mammies for Trans Rights, Cork Community Pride, Cork Gay Project and LINQ Ireland, along with the Samaritans – all the banners complemented the wonderful display of flags, colourful outfits and the huge Trans street flag that filled the road with colour and hope.
The Parade moved off to music and cheering, passing through Cromwell’s Arch and then the iconic Clock Gate Tower, bringing colour, music and love to the streets of Youghal. Led by Grand Marshall Eddie McGuinness (of The Outing Festival and EuroPride Ireland 2028), the parade showed the diversity, enthusiasm and commitment of its participants, with group banners, fabulous costumes and all ages enjoying the chance to be out and proud in the sunshine.
The Parade ended at Green Park, where a giant progress rainbow flag was laid across the grass to welcome us in, and the park decorated with bunting and flags – a gorgeous sight. There were information stalls from Youghal Pride, Gay Project and its associated groups and LINQ Ireland as well as the wonderful Tully Crafts (all the way from Leitrim!), lovely crochet crafts and facepainters, with Glanmire Ices and the Country Kitchen providing tasty treats.
Entertainments started with a singalong of Over the Rainbow and a warm welcome from Eddie McGuinness, who had to leave early to get back to Tralee for the Rose Of Tralee Outing Festival Parade! Excellent performances followed from Benzo, the Wild Atlantic Gay, who was joined on the stage by our own Sinead O’Brien with her new song The Kathleen and May. They were followed by a fantastic drag performance by Letycha Le Synn, Lola Le Synn and Liam Bee from the Haus of Le Synn. Letycha even led us all in a conga across the park! We appreciate the Haus of Le Synn stepping in when scheduling problems meant the MockieAh queens couldn’t make it – and they were fabulous! To see us out, local band Eclipse played a rocking set, and there was dancing and singing along in the sunshine.
As part of Pride’s fundraising, local businesses were asked to support Pride by sponsoring raffle prizes, and my goodness, they did us proud! We want to sincerely thank these local businesses, and ask you to support them as they supported us. Prizes were donated by Niland Hair Salon; Flavin’s Groceries; Norma Stone Beauty; The Cuttin Cruise Barber; The Nook; Sean Twomey Butcher; Kieran Codey Butcher; Living Youghal; KCH Beauty Salon; Go Wild Hair Salon; Salih’s Turkish Barber; McCabe’s Pharmacy; Clockgate Pharmacy; Wolf Turkish Barber; Glossed Beauty Salon; Cal Flavin Hardware; Perks Entertainments; MCC News; Croí Centre; Tesco, Aldi and Lidl.
We also want to thank the local businesses who took part in the Pride Window Display competition. Results will be announced next week, with the winner receiving a trophy sponsored by For Mutt’s Sake.
Pride would not have been possible this year without the support of our funders: Cork County Council LCDC Amenity Fund, Cork Gay Project, Youghal Credit Union, Cumann na Daoine and the LGBTIQ+ Community Services Fund. Our sincere thanks and appreciation for this meaningful support.
We start planning for Youghal Pride 2027 soon, so if you’d like to get involved, get in touch! Email youghalpride@gmail.com or text/WhatsApp 087 9890336. Also keep an eye on our facebook page Youghal Pride by the Sea.
Just before Pride, we received an email from Jean Mercier, a Canadian musician, who was sharing his song ‘Until We Are Free’ to Prides around the world. You can listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/O1Gz6XrMRDI?si=epSwQGAv4INg0ExO and maybe give him a follow on YouTube!
All photographs by Kathleen Blye.
