The Outing – world’s only LGBTQ+ matchmaking festival kicks off in Co Clare

*Eddie McGuinness and his matchmaking contacts book with Elle Uminati , Phil T Georgous and (back) Grainne Kneez, Eire Comme, Anita Hero and Carlos V Garcia at the opening of The Outing Festival : the world’s only LGBTQ+ matchmaking festival at the Inn at Dromoland on Friday. Photograph: Eamon Ward

Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community has descended on Co Clare this Valentine’s weekend (February 9-11th) for The Outing 2024.

What is the world’s only LGTBQ+ matchmaking festival has returned to The Inn at Dromoland in Newmarket-on-Fergus with a fusion of music, comedy, ceilí bands, queer arts, drag artists and DJs.

Organised in conjunction with The Outing Queer Arts Collective with support from Fáilte Ireland, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Blacknight Solutions, Visit Clare, Limerick Pride, and Quare Clare, the award-winning festival is being hosted by ‘The Queen of Matchmaking’ Eddie McGuinness and Victoria’s Secret.

McGuinness, who is the Festival Director of The Outing, commented, “People have travelled from all over the world to our festival in previous years to enjoy pop-up clubs, drag performances, comedy, live music, arts, literary and film festivals and interactive events”.

He continued, “Matchmaking plays a huge part in the festival. With more than a hundred relationships and two marriages, I have helped play a part in putting together our event in recent years. The Outing also acts as a celebration of the LGTBQ+ community, so whether you’re single or taken gay, trans, straight or bi, all are welcome to this fun weekend”.

Organisers of the Outing are also working with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Shannon Chambers, Quare Clare and Limerick Pride to submit a bid to bring EuroPride to Limerick, Clare and the Mid-West Region in 2028, which would mark the first time that the pan-European international event has been held in Ireland. Attracting over 100,000 people from all over the world annually, EuroPride is hosted by a different European city each year.