Rain can't dampen Carlow's Pride Parade!

SUNNY spells and rainbows were the order of the day when the town was a sunburst of colour for this year’s Carlow Pride Festival.

Scores of people were dressed in rainbow colours when they assembled in Carlow College before forming a parade through the town to the park. There, they danced and sang along to a free concert, headlined by local artist Sexy Tadhg, with Justin Kelly, Dance Republic and a posse of drag queens.

“This was our best festival yet!” said John Paul Payne, Carlow Pride Festival chairman. “Pride is for everyone, no matter who they are. Families were dancing together in the park, having fun. And, of course, Carlow town looked amazing with all the Entente Florale work so it was fantastic!” The event was co-hosted by Eddie McGuinness, who looked resplendent in a rainbow suit and set of wings, and Onya Becks, who looked absolutely fabulous alongside the other drag queens.

Sally McDonald, a committee member who has put a lot of love and energy into Carlow Pride, was made grand marshall of the parade. John Paul and Sally were two of just six people who organised the whole shebang, with the others being Kathleen Geoghegan, Mary Fleming, Christine Salter and Ryan Shannon.

“Sunday was just perfect. I find it hard to process that six of us put this together. The whole thing really highlighted the goodness in people. Everyone, including young people, just turned up, danced, had fun and made new friends. It was a perfect weekend and we’re very proud of it,” said John Paul.