Heartlands Pride Athlone
Heartlands Pride Athlone will host its first ever Summer Pride Festival from the 30th May to the 7th June 2026, featuring Athlone's inaugural Pride Parade on the 6th June. Supported by Creative Westmeath and Irish Rail, the festival includes a community built Sile na Gig float designed by Aoife Doolan, celebrating local LGBTQ+ heritage. The group have experience of censorship and silencing, which is why the history of Síle na Gig resonates so strongly with them. Síle na Gig has historical significance in Westmeath. Heartlands Pride would like Síle to play a large role in the parade on the 6th June.
The Parade might be the main event but there will be lots of other events like candle making workshops, trivia night and Kwen's Pride Bash featuring Bonnie Ann Clyde from Rupaul's Drag Race UK.
Heartlands Pride Athlone promises a vibrant and uplifting celebration, with a fantastic lineup of events designed to bring people together and create a real sense of community. From lively performances and creative workshops to social gatherings, the festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. A major highlight will be the Pride parade, which is set to be a colourful and energetic display of inclusivity and pride, filling the streets with music, joy, and solidarity. It’s expected to be a powerful and positive experience, celebrating diversity while making Athlone an even more welcoming place for all.
For full details of the festival please see
here