WATCH | An explosion of pride, colour and samba beats at Longford's first ever Pride Parade

There was an explosion of colour and samba beats as Longford's first ever Pride Parade and celebration of the local LGBTQ+ community took place yesterday, Saturday, June 15.

The Pride parade set off from Connolly Barracks and it was led by Grand Marshal Rebecca Tallon de Havilland.

Describing herself as a Granard girl at heart, Rebecca thanked the organisers of Longford Pride for making her the Grand Marshal at their first Pride parade.

She added, "It’s so wonderful to see this happening in my home county and you all should be so proud."

A number of other events took place in Longford Town as part of Longford Pride - there was a craft market in Pig Lane Market and an after-parade celebration at Pig Market Lane and also an after-party in Valentine’s Bar, featuring Drag Acts from the Haus of Kéwn.