Donegal young people lead Ireland’s largest Pride parade in Dublin

Thirty-three young LGBTQ+ people from across Donegal were among those who led this year’s Dublin Pride parade on Saturday, alongside hundreds of others from across Ireland.

The young people from Donegal represented Donegal Youth Service’s BreakOUT group and Youthreach Gortahork, marching with Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland which was chosen as Grand Marshall for Dublin Pride 2024.

BreakOUT is a youth project focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer young people aged between 12 and 24 years in Donegal, with groups meeting in Letterkenny and Raphoe. Youthreach Gortahork offers an education, training and personal development programme for early school leavers aged 16-20.

The young people from Donegal travelled to Dublin to march as part of a National Network of local groups providing support and community for LGBTQ+ people across the county. Others who led the parade with Belong To travelled from as far as Mayo and Kerry.

Belong To, which coordinates the National Network, was selected by Dublin Pride as the 2024 Grand Marshall in recognition of the charity’s work with young LGBTQ+ people and their families across Ireland, delivering support services from crisis counselling and family supports to running anti-LGBTQ+ bullying campaigns and inclusion programmes in education settings and youth groups.  

The young people from Donegal marched in the parade following a breakfast hosted by Belong To at Wood Quay, Dublin City Council Offices, which was also attended by Taoiseach Simon Harris, Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, a number of Government Ministers, TDs and Senators, Dublin City councillors and a range of partner organisations.

 Speaking at the Pride parade, Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO of Belong To commented: “Today, we are delighted to embody the Dublin Pride 2024 theme and ‘Shine’ alongside hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth from Donegal and across Ireland. This is a very special day for them and for all of us – a chance to celebrate in all of our diversity. For many of the young people, this is their first time being out and proud, joining the community to celebrate their authentic selves. Particularly for those from more rural parts of the country, Pride is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the wider LGBTQ+ community of young people. 

“The recent incidents of hate here in Ireland and a general trend towards extreme anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric online and in public spaces highlight how Pride is just as important today as it has ever been. We’re proud to stand with young LGBTQ+ people from Donegal and across Ireland today and throughout the year. The work continues to make LGBTQ+ using people feel safe, equal and valued. But for today – we shine in a display of support and love.”

Also speaking today, Tara Kelly, a member of the BreakOUT youth group from Letterkenny said: “Pride has always been important to me as I feel safe. I’ve always felt included and welcomed even when I was in the closet, and now I feel so honoured to have the opportunity to lead the Dublin Pride parade, so let LGBTQ+ youth know that they are welcome and that they are safe.”

Robbie Matthews, Advocate with Youthreach Gortahork also commented at the Parade, saying: “Youthreach Gortahork are privileged to march with Belong To at Dublin Pride. With all the negative noise in the media, it’s vital for our young people to know they are respected, supported and acknowledged for who they are, and that we will stand with them.”

Belong To is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. More information about all the services and supports offered by the charity to LGBTQ+ young people and their families is available online.

You can find more information about BreakOUT here. The Youthreach centre in Gort an Choirce is one of five in Co Donegal managed by Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) through its Further Education and Training (FET) Service. Youthreach is co-funded by the government of Ireland and the European Union. Further details are available on Donegal ETB's website.