Gay vacations to Ireland have been a popular choice dating back to at least the time of Oscar Wilde. While Ireland may not have been nearly as LGBT-friendly in his time, it has come a long way since the days of folks – like Wilde – being sent to hard labor camps or jail for what was then known as “indecency.” In fact, up until 1861 the act of sodomy was punishable by death, but today Ireland has recently moved ahead of the U.S. when it comes to LGBT rights by legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples in 2009, after decriminalizing homosexuality in 1993.
While these significant legal strides might not mean that every village – or even every larger city – is ready to fully embrace same-sex relationships, Ireland has become a rather welcoming country for the most part and is a wonderful choice for gay travel. Many larger cities, such as Galway, Dublin, Cork and Waterford, have active, visible communities, LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly establishments, and enough attractions and activities to fill an entire trip; however, whether you travel to Ireland solo or with organized gay tours, you will not want to miss the beautiful Irish countryside or the quaint, small villages that are scattered about the landscape or overlooking awe-inspiring coastal cliffs.
While several larger cities now have annual community celebrations, pubs and clubs, community organizations and a visible LGBT scene, Dublin is unquestionably the center of LGBT life in Ireland and should be part of any gay travel plans to this country. Dublin nightlife offers both a casual pub scene and an upscale club scene complete with dress codes, which allows those on gay vacations to experience two very different aspects of local LGBT life. There are also a number of community festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Dublin International LGBTQ Pride Festival in June, the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July and the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May.
Other happenings throughout the year are listed in Ireland’s most popular community magazine, GCN, so those who want to experience the scene during Dublin gay vacations will want to grab a copy when they get to town. Aside from community activities, there are many attractions you will likely want to visit while in Dublin, including the Oscar Wilde House Museum, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells and The George, which is Dublin’s most famous LGBT bar.
Those planning gay travel tours may want to consider participating in a group gay tour. This is a great way to make sure you are able to enjoy many of the most intriguing natural, cultural and historical attractions this romantic country has to offer.
Report by Howie Holben for Ireland gay holiday destinations. Spirit Journeys also offers gay meditation retreats.
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