1 mins
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
AWARD RECIPIENT
Aireach Aiteach Gaelach
The Irish-speaking collaborative art group, Aireach Aiteach Galeach was awarded this year’s LGBTQ+ Arts and Entertainment Award.
Founded by Ciara Ní É and Eoin Mc Evoy in 2020, the collective is now comprised of 90 artists, including writers, musicians, playwrights, photographers and drag performers, as well as video and sound artists. For Pride this year, the group planned and attended the first Pride festival on Clare Island off the Mayo coastline. Some members also performed in Grindr, Saghdar and Cher, which was the first-ever Irish-language play at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. They shared, “We’ve been told for so long that our queerness is foreign, but our queerness is dúchasach.”
NOMINEES
Dame Stuffy (Karl Dawson)
The Queen of Ballymun was rightfully shortlisted for this year’s award, starring in sickening shows in the likes of Liberty Hall, The George and the Civic Theatre in Tallaght.
She’s been acclaimed for her hysterical pantomime performances and stand-up comedy shows. The radio broadcaster and actor continues to entertain the Irish public, as well as informing them on vital LGBTQ+ matters.
Lollipop Apparel
Lollipop Apparel are a proud Irish and Venezuelan clothing brand that creates vibrant and handmade designs. This past Culture Night, the group ran a free tie-dye workshop for kids on Moore Street. The eco-friendly and vegan clothing brand’s designs were featured at their stalls at Electric Picnic and Veganfest 2023.
Pride Poets (Street 66)
Dublin Pride’s spoken word and poetry night Pride Poets takes place every month in the city’s iconic Street 66. Organised on the last Tuesday of every month, the initiative invites queer folk to the open mic at the premier LGBTQ+ venue.
by
Joe Drennan