‘It was the most moving and profound display of support that we have ever experienced’ - Chairperson Kayleigh Bowery

The chairperson of the Pride Festival which graced Letterkenny’s street for the first time this August said the community of Letterkenny made them proud and that it was the most moving and profound display of support they have ever felt. 

Letterkenny’s inaugural Pride Festival took place on August 19 and was a resounding success. The chairperson, Kayleigh Bowery, said she is exceptionally happy with how the day went. 

She said: “On Sunday, so many people woke up feeling accepted for who they are. They woke up feeling at home and like they really do belong here. That is something that I can never quantify."

She said she particularly wanted to thank her incredible committee members, Aisling Jarvis, Orson Sterritt, Candice Devine, Snead Murray Lynch, Steven Crane, Pauge McGuinness, Francis Meehan, Pauric Havlin and Laura Dunne: "Without all of your passion and determination, your beautiful hearts and your expertise, none of this would ever have happened. You make the world a beautiful place just by being in it. Thank you so much for all that you are. The love and joy that was felt on that day was incredibly powerful and we will never ever forget it. It is truly amazing what we can achieve together with love and kindness in our hearts.” 

And to those who came out to support them on the day, she said: “And all of the people who came out to support us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and souls. You all gave so much of yourselves to Letterkenny Pride and it was beyond beautiful. By showing up with such a strong sense of solidarity and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in such a magical way, you didn't only make history, you changed the lives of many."

Ms Bowery also thanked all of the wonderful businesses who sponsored them, the individuals who donated to their go-fund-me campaign, volunteers, artists, musicians, entertainers, speakers, dancers and sound engineers.

She also thanked Sean O Bhaoill, Definitiv Design, CBM signs,t-shirt xpress,  photography crew, marshals and supervisors. She also thanked Sean, the health and safety coordinator and Nigel Moore for the float. 

She also thanked the Letterkenny Festival, the Cottage Bar, The Brewery, Mc Ginley’s Bar, Century Cinema, the incredible crew at the An Grianán Theatre and to Seamus Quinn at Artworks Picture Framing, the  Donegal Volunteer Centre and the Donegal County Council. To the gardaí,  the Red Cross, the Cathedral Quarter, the DYS, Purple Velvet, Orbit security and all the media platforms that helped us to share this momentous day with the world; and to all of the wonderful groups and individuals who walked with them.