The classic picture of Ireland as a very religious and generally quite conservative country does not bode well for the gay traveller. But - actually there should be no major problem for you. As long as you are as safety-conscious as you would be in any foreign city or country. Generally the best advice would be "Don't flaunt it too much!"
Gay Ireland - A Complicated Story
Despite the high esteem for the poet Oscar Wilde, the actor Mícheál Mac Liammóir or the nationalist Roger Casement, homosexuals and especially gay men were not really Ireland's favourite daughters and sons. In the mid-1970s both the Irish Gay Rights Movement and the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association started their fight against discrimination and for law reform.
The Hirschfeld Centre, a community centre for gays in Dublin's Fownes Street, became the focus of activities after its official opening on Saint Patrick's Day 1979. Legal struggles were initiated by David Norris, a Joyce expert, gay rights campaigner and Senator.
But only in 1993 was homosexuality finally de-criminalized in Ireland.
Attitudes Towards Homosexuality in Ireland
Ireland today prides itself in being an inclusive, non-discriminatory society. Which essentially means that being gay is not a crime in itself any more and that you may openly follow your sexual orientation. Which does not imply acceptance by all Irish citizens. Homosexuality is still widely regarded as sinful and/or an aberration - even an illness.
On the other hand the gay community has established itself and feels no need to live in hiding any more - for more on Ireland's gay scene see below. But note that this is a fairly recent development and that most openly gay Irish are young. The older generation often preferring to stay in the closet they are used to.
While discrimination against gays is officially frowned upon, it still exists. Open displays of homosexual affection will in many places at least raise eyebrows. And gay men enquiring about a double room may suddenly find the B&B hopelessly overbooked. Openly gay couples may also attract snide, rude, insulting or downright threatening remarks in pubs. Fortunately most aggression stops at the verbal stage.
The Gay Scene in Ireland
Today Ireland has a lively "gay scene", especially in Dublin and Belfast. Some favourite hang-outs like the "George" in Dublin are clearly identifiable by their use of the "rainbow flag", others are far more discreet. The best bet for visitors who want to meet other gay people is to obtain a copy of GCN, the Gay Community News, a monthly magazine with comprehensive listings.
Marriage Equality and Panti Bliss
2. Galway City for Gays
I've gone to Zulu's (near Jury's Inn) in Galway with some friends in 2002 and had a good time. It's a small little pub (with lots of smoke! {smoking ban now in effect!}) real close to the center of town and I met quite a few fellow travelers there before one of the locals decided to take us to a gay dance club in Salt Hill.
Visit Gay Ireland's Galway for more information on things to see and do in Galway and please email me your links and places you've been when there.
3. Irish B&Bs for Gays
Rather than the added expense of hotels, I always used the Ireland Bed and Breakfast Vouchersthroughout, saving a nice bundle. In 2000 I began traveling with my partner and we still took advantage of these low-cost, comfortable accommodations.
4. Cork City for Gays
I haven't really stayed in downtown Cork so I had to do a little research on this after hearing that it's very gay-friendly.
Check out Scotts, a very trendy bar on Oliver Plunkett Streat for food and friendly staff and then head to Flux, Cork's newest gay bar... before heading to Ruby's for some clubbing.
"We're a gay couple. What about requesting one bed in and Irish B&B?"
I was nervous about this on my first trip with Bob however everything worked out just fine and we didn't have a problem, including those B&Bs where I've stayed numerous times, making friends with the owner. As with everything we deal with, it comes down to making a few adjustments to make everyone happy...
When calling your B&B and asking for your room, you really have three choices:
Ask for a twin - Twins are two beds for two people. More than likely, the room will contain two double beds ... and you only need one! Convenient!
Ask for a double - You'll have no problem if they have a double available but when you arrive you may be greeted with surprise and offered a twin if they have it available. It's happened to me and I've taken the twin, which had two double beds anyway.
Ask for a twin or double - Accept whatever you get, knowing that most twins contain two double beds.
I've never been treated differently by the B&B owners with two men traveling together -- nothing but a pleasant experience and I continue to do the B&B tour each year we go.
Gay Travelers Are Very Welcome
Over the years we have seen not just a change in Irish attitudes toward gay and lesbian travelers but we've also experienced it first-hand, from our engagement/committment ceremony to the adoption of our beautiful daughter Clare (after County Clare and her grandmother!)
We had been staying at a B&B in Galway for a few years in a row and after one of our visits the owner, Mary, pulled me into the kitchen to show me something... but what she really wanted to say was, "I see you both have rings - did you get married?" Before I could finish my "Yes.", she was down the hall yelling to my partner, "Congratulations!" It took him off guard quite a bit because we had never formally come out to Mary, fearing we'd lose the friendship we were developing. Again, our own fear and Mary dispelled all of that. In fact, when we adopted our daughter, Mary sent a silver Claddagh bracelet as soon as she found out -- an amazing gift that we cherish... and we made sure we popped in when we took Clare on her first trip to Ireland.
This story is repeated over-and-over again with our friend Becky in Doolin, Raymond and Florence in Ballylickey as well as Maya and Gene in Glengarrif... and of course Catherine in Dublin. We've found that our sexual orientation just doesn't matter -- it's who we are that matters.
This past year we have sent many gay couples to Ireland and the response has been amazing -- not one complaint or awkward feeling from anyone.
"I was honestly really surprised - there was not even one of those uncomfortable moments. I wish it weren't so, but I'm pretty sensitive to them while traveling. Even with a pit stop in the tiniest place, there wasn't even one. It was really amazing that way." - Jeff S. 2012
We make it a point to reach out to our clients after their return to ensure that their trip was a success and we dig a little deeper with our gay and lesbian clients with regard to their comfort and safety. The above quote was from a September 2012 trip and shows how great Ireland is for gay and lesbian travelers.
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Gay Ireland - A Complicated Story
Despite the high esteem for the poet Oscar Wilde, the actor Mícheál Mac Liammóir or the nationalist Roger Casement, homosexuals and especially gay men were not really Ireland's favourite daughters and sons. In the mid-1970s both the Irish Gay Rights Movement and the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association started their fight against discrimination and for law reform.
The Hirschfeld Centre, a community centre for gays in Dublin's Fownes Street, became the focus of activities after its official opening on Saint Patrick's Day 1979. Legal struggles were initiated by David Norris, a Joyce expert, gay rights campaigner and Senator.
But only in 1993 was homosexuality finally de-criminalized in Ireland.
Attitudes Towards Homosexuality in Ireland
Ireland today prides itself in being an inclusive, non-discriminatory society. Which essentially means that being gay is not a crime in itself any more and that you may openly follow your sexual orientation. Which does not imply acceptance by all Irish citizens. Homosexuality is still widely regarded as sinful and/or an aberration - even an illness.
On the other hand the gay community has established itself and feels no need to live in hiding any more - for more on Ireland's gay scene see below. But note that this is a fairly recent development and that most openly gay Irish are young. The older generation often preferring to stay in the closet they are used to.
While discrimination against gays is officially frowned upon, it still exists. Open displays of homosexual affection will in many places at least raise eyebrows. And gay men enquiring about a double room may suddenly find the B&B hopelessly overbooked. Openly gay couples may also attract snide, rude, insulting or downright threatening remarks in pubs. Fortunately most aggression stops at the verbal stage.
The Gay Scene in Ireland
Today Ireland has a lively "gay scene", especially in Dublin and Belfast. Some favourite hang-outs like the "George" in Dublin are clearly identifiable by their use of the "rainbow flag", others are far more discreet. The best bet for visitors who want to meet other gay people is to obtain a copy of GCN, the Gay Community News, a monthly magazine with comprehensive listings.
Marriage Equality and Panti Bliss
Weirdly enough, in 2015 Ireland became the first country in the world to get marriage equality by popular demand - a hotly contested referendum decided on henceforth calling all unions between two consenting adults marriage, regardless of the sexes involved. And Ireland also gained an openly gay Health Minister in the same year (Leo Varadkar had his coming out on national radio in January). Who'd have thought so just twenty or so years ago?
The Pantibar run by Panti Bliss (the stage name of Rory O'Neill, Ireland's most public, though not always popular, drag queen) on Dublin's Northside (Capel Street, Dublin 1, website pantibar.com) has become a rallying point for many of the more extrovert members of the LGBT community, while The George is the best known and well-established gay pub just across the river.
Gay Travel in Ireland:
The Pantibar run by Panti Bliss (the stage name of Rory O'Neill, Ireland's most public, though not always popular, drag queen) on Dublin's Northside (Capel Street, Dublin 1, website pantibar.com) has become a rallying point for many of the more extrovert members of the LGBT community, while The George is the best known and well-established gay pub just across the river.
Gay Travel in Ireland:
1. Dublin City for Gays
I've also visited The George, the foremost in gay pub in Dublin. The George is located on South Great George's St. Popular is its unusual take on bingo every Sunday night. The George is host to many events and parties and the George's disco bar is alive with dancing.
If it's a quieter drink you're after, then the front bar is the ideal venue in which to enjoy a cool pint of Guinness or a colourful Pina Colada.
I've also visited The George, the foremost in gay pub in Dublin. The George is located on South Great George's St. Popular is its unusual take on bingo every Sunday night. The George is host to many events and parties and the George's disco bar is alive with dancing.
If it's a quieter drink you're after, then the front bar is the ideal venue in which to enjoy a cool pint of Guinness or a colourful Pina Colada.
2. Galway City for Gays
I've gone to Zulu's (near Jury's Inn) in Galway with some friends in 2002 and had a good time. It's a small little pub (with lots of smoke! {smoking ban now in effect!}) real close to the center of town and I met quite a few fellow travelers there before one of the locals decided to take us to a gay dance club in Salt Hill.
Visit Gay Ireland's Galway for more information on things to see and do in Galway and please email me your links and places you've been when there.
3. Irish B&Bs for Gays
Rather than the added expense of hotels, I always used the Ireland Bed and Breakfast Vouchersthroughout, saving a nice bundle. In 2000 I began traveling with my partner and we still took advantage of these low-cost, comfortable accommodations.
4. Cork City for Gays
I haven't really stayed in downtown Cork so I had to do a little research on this after hearing that it's very gay-friendly.
Check out Scotts, a very trendy bar on Oliver Plunkett Streat for food and friendly staff and then head to Flux, Cork's newest gay bar... before heading to Ruby's for some clubbing.
"We're a gay couple. What about requesting one bed in and Irish B&B?"
I was nervous about this on my first trip with Bob however everything worked out just fine and we didn't have a problem, including those B&Bs where I've stayed numerous times, making friends with the owner. As with everything we deal with, it comes down to making a few adjustments to make everyone happy...
When calling your B&B and asking for your room, you really have three choices:
Ask for a twin - Twins are two beds for two people. More than likely, the room will contain two double beds ... and you only need one! Convenient!
Ask for a double - You'll have no problem if they have a double available but when you arrive you may be greeted with surprise and offered a twin if they have it available. It's happened to me and I've taken the twin, which had two double beds anyway.
Ask for a twin or double - Accept whatever you get, knowing that most twins contain two double beds.
I've never been treated differently by the B&B owners with two men traveling together -- nothing but a pleasant experience and I continue to do the B&B tour each year we go.
Gay Travelers Are Very Welcome
Over the years we have seen not just a change in Irish attitudes toward gay and lesbian travelers but we've also experienced it first-hand, from our engagement/committment ceremony to the adoption of our beautiful daughter Clare (after County Clare and her grandmother!)
We had been staying at a B&B in Galway for a few years in a row and after one of our visits the owner, Mary, pulled me into the kitchen to show me something... but what she really wanted to say was, "I see you both have rings - did you get married?" Before I could finish my "Yes.", she was down the hall yelling to my partner, "Congratulations!" It took him off guard quite a bit because we had never formally come out to Mary, fearing we'd lose the friendship we were developing. Again, our own fear and Mary dispelled all of that. In fact, when we adopted our daughter, Mary sent a silver Claddagh bracelet as soon as she found out -- an amazing gift that we cherish... and we made sure we popped in when we took Clare on her first trip to Ireland.
This story is repeated over-and-over again with our friend Becky in Doolin, Raymond and Florence in Ballylickey as well as Maya and Gene in Glengarrif... and of course Catherine in Dublin. We've found that our sexual orientation just doesn't matter -- it's who we are that matters.
This past year we have sent many gay couples to Ireland and the response has been amazing -- not one complaint or awkward feeling from anyone.
"I was honestly really surprised - there was not even one of those uncomfortable moments. I wish it weren't so, but I'm pretty sensitive to them while traveling. Even with a pit stop in the tiniest place, there wasn't even one. It was really amazing that way." - Jeff S. 2012
We make it a point to reach out to our clients after their return to ensure that their trip was a success and we dig a little deeper with our gay and lesbian clients with regard to their comfort and safety. The above quote was from a September 2012 trip and shows how great Ireland is for gay and lesbian travelers.
Search best gay hotel in here:
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