Holding Hands

Two hands intertwined, fingers gently clasped together as a couple watches the festivities unfold around them. The simple act of holding hands in public, something many take for granted, becomes a quiet celebration of love and belonging at Cork Pride.

While this year’s event was smaller than last year’s celebration (perhaps due to the absence of Eurovision star Bambie Thug, or simply the rising costs of travel), the energy remained undimmed. The parade began on Grand Parade before winding its way down St. Patrick Street, with dozens of people proudly carrying a massive pride flag that rippled in the hot, humid afternoon air.

After the parade, the community gathered at Kennedy Quay for the traditional after-party, where the real magic happened. Gay men danced together in the summer heat, some bare-chested, others waving colorful fans as they laughed and moved to the music. Same-sex couples like the one in this photograph stood hand in hand, watching the celebration with quiet contentment, expressing their love openly in a space where they felt safe to do so. These moments, the dancing, the hand-holding, the unguarded laughter, show exactly why Pride events are needed now more than ever.

The laughter, the energy, and the community were all so beautifully, defiantly joyful.

More photos from Cork Pride coming tomorrow.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

The Cork Pride Flag

One of the (many) highlights of the Cork Pride parade is the massive rainbow flag that accompanies the marchers through the city. It was unfurled on Grand Parade where a jubilant crowd carried it and waved it in preparation for the trip around the city. I noticed a bump in the middle, and saw the reason underneath. 🙂


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/6400s

Bambie Thug at Cork Pride

Bambie Thug holds up the transgender flag on stage.

At the Cork Pride party today, Bambie Thug performed for the crowd, and came on stage proudly waving the transgender flag. The party was great, and the parade was full of energy, colour, smiles and happiness. If you missed it this year, make sure to go next year. It’s a great event!


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO5000
Shutter speed1/2000s

Cork Pride Party at the Port 2023

A few photos from the 2023 Cork Pride “party at the port” on Kennedy Quay. There was a huge crowd there, with people coming and going all the time. A band played the hits, followed by a few words from the Lord Mayor of Cork, and then the drag queens came out to entertain the ecstatic crowd!

The atmosphere there was electric, with plenty of happy faces as people enjoyed the music and the good weather.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

The Rainbow Flag flies from the Quay CO-OP

Upstairs in the Quay CO-OP, July 2019 about a month before the Cork Pride Parade.

Aperture ƒ/2.4
Camera SM-G965F
Focal length 4.3mm
ISO 40
Shutter speed 1/220s