Cape Clear Welcomes LGBTQ+ Community for Bród Chléire Festival

On August 16, 2024, the remote island of Cape Clear (Oileán Chléire) in West Cork, Ireland, hosted the second edition of Bród Chléire, an LGBTQ+ Irish-language summer camp and festival. The event celebrated queer culture through music, art, and community, all while highlighting the beauty of the island, adorned with Pride flags fluttering over Trá Chiaráin (North Harbour).

Participants boarded the Carraig Aonair, a ferry operated by Cape Clear Ferries, for a lively cruise around Roaringwater Bay. As the sun set, the atmosphere was electric, filled with the sounds of iconic songs from Queen, ABBA, and Annie Lennox. The evening reached a peak when Ruairí Ó Donnabháin, the island’s Irish language planning officer and co-organiser of Bród Chléire, hoisted the Pride flag during a group photo on the top deck, capturing a moment of unity and celebration.

Following the cruise, attendees enjoyed a delightful meal from local eateries, including Mary’s Chipper and Seán Rua’s restaurant, before heading to a bustling Cotter’s pub for an evening of cabaret performances. The lineup featured a variety of acts, including a spoken-word piece by Ciara Ní É and a powerful poem from Caoimhghín Ó hEoghusa. Traditional Irish music filled the air, with performances from local musicians and visitors alike.

The festival’s second day included workshops and discussions at GTeic, the digital hub in Trá Chiaráin. Highlights included a talk by Eoin Mc Evoy, who shared insights into translating the graphic novel “Heartstopper” into Irish, making it the first queer book as Gaeilge for young audiences. The co-organisers, AerachAiteachGaelach, also launched their Irish language zine, An Gairdín, further promoting LGBTQ+ literature in the community.

A screening of “Grindr, Saghdar agus Cher,” a play with English subtitles, showcased three interwoven queer narratives, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. The event concluded with a vibrant sing-along at Cotter’s, marking the first time the gathering was held entirely in Irish.

As the weekend drew to a close, many attendees boarded the ferry back to Baltimore on the Dún an Óir II, leaving with cherished memories of a weekend filled with joy and celebration. The success of Bród Chléire is a testament to the dedication of the local community and the festival’s organisers, who created an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves and connect through the Irish language.

This year’s Bród Chléire not only celebrated Pride but also reinforced the importance of community and cultural identity, proving that love and acceptance can thrive in even the most remote corners of the world.