Mayor turns clock pink for Pride

Mayor Martin Reilly at the launch of Foyle Pride 2013, in the Guildhall with Mel Bradley, Joe Carlin Foyle Pride Chairperson, and Amy Lame performer and entertainer pictured in the Guildhall.

Joe Carlin, Chairperson of Foyle Pride 2013 welcomed the move and said the parade on Saturday (August 24) would be a highlight.

“The Festival this year has a high level of support from Mayor Martin Reilly ,The Culture Company and other partner organizations involved and I would like to say an extra big thank you to Derry City Council for their help in procuring Foyle Pride’s very own giant rainbow flag which will be proudly carried through the city during the Parade,” he said.

“This year the Parade will be leaving the Waterside Train Station at 2pm sharp on Saturday 24th of August to make its way along the historical civil rights route, over the Craigavon Bridge, up Carlilse Road, passed The Diamond and down Shipquay St to culminate in an afternoon of music and entertainment in the Guildhall Square. Please come and join us,” he added.

Whilst fun has been promised, Foyle Pride, has always been underpinned by its serious message.

Last year Cork hurler Dónal Óg Cusack’s address to the Foyle Pride festival, in which he spoke of the homophobic abuse he suffered from one supporter, reverberated far beyond the city.

Mayor Reilly spoke of its importance: “This weekend’s Foyle Pride Festival promises to be another unique event for the city when we unite in celebrating all aspects of our city’s diversity.

“The gay/lesbian and transgender community play a very significant part in shaping our city and in making us the progressive, open minded and confident city that we are. A proud supporter of the Festival I am delighted to in the position to illuminate the Guildhall Clock pink from today for the duration of the festival.

“As the City of Culture we are moving forward at a significant pace, celebrating all cultures and communities and encouraging equality for all. I feel privileged to be part of the Foyle Pride celebrations and delighted that Derry City Council has played such a pivotal role in helping with the event. I know a lot of hard work and determination has been ongoing behind the scenes for the past 20 years to get to where we are and I am confident this weekend’s Foyle Pride celebration will be another hugely successful event for Derry.”

For more information about the wide selection of events, activities and birthday bash as well as tickets, please visit