ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
AWARD RECIPIENT
Aoife Doolan - Síle na Gig Float Project
This year saw Athlone’s first Pride parade, a long-awaited event that marked a significant moment for the local LGBTQ+ community and its allies, bringing visibility and celebration to the heart of the Midlands. With the support of Creative Westmeath, Heartlands Pride Athlone partnered with community artist Aoife Doolan to create a 3D Síle na Gig float, bringing a strong cultural and artistic dimension to the occasion.
Upon receiving the award, the artist said: “ A massive thank you to Heartlands Pride for including me in the project and to everyone who was involved. 16 people were involved in making this. And of course, thank you to The GALAS for this amazing honour.”
NOMINEES
Cara Holmes - Lesbian Lines
Written and directed by filmmaker Cara Holmes, Lesbian Lines shines a light on the overlooked history of the underground lesbian helplines during the late 1970s in Ireland. Blending documentary with dramatic performance, the film uncovers a hidden chapter of Irish LGBTQ+ history through conversations preserved in handwritten notes, which provide a remarkable record of a pivotal time when women were fighting for equality in a deeply conservative society.
Dakota Mode
A multi-talented artist, Dakota Mode was nominated for her outstanding contribution to Cork’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. An open format DJ and drag performer, Dakota Mode blends pop vocals with house and techno beats in creative and unexpected mixes and mashups. The artist has shown exceptional dedication to creating a genuinely safe, welcoming and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community in Cork.
Joe Caslin
One of Ireland’s most recognisable public artists, Joe Caslin is known for work that engages directly with social issues. His murals have addressed subjects such as marriage equality, suicide prevention, homelessness, addiction, immigration, consent and gender-based violence. His recent mural depicts a young trans man standing upright while pierced by arrows representing the harm inflicted by external forces.
By Beatrice Fanucci