Comedian Therese Cahill will be part of the Drag Bingo Night in The Cot & Cobble, Ballina, during A Day Out For All.
As part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations, local LGBT+ support organisation OutWest has announced A Day Out For All – a day of inclusive social events for members of the public and the LGBT+ community and their families, friends and allies to take place on Saturday, June 17.
Events on the day will include an LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Storytime in Ballina Library (11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.), hosted by Sligo performers Ben Lucent and Sinéad O’Brien, featuring uplifting stories with themes of acceptance and cherishing diversity, a family-friendly outdoor picnic in the Jackie Clarke Collection (12.30 to 3 p.m.), and a Drag Bingo Night after dark (9 p.m. until late) in The Cot & Cobble.
Since 1997, OutWest has worked constantly to support the LGBT+ community in the Connaught region, whether by hosting much-needed events and spaces for LGBT+ people to socialise, make friends and express themselves in safety, advocating for LGBT+ rights and equality, and educating the public on LGBT+ issues and on how to build a more inclusive society.
A Day Out for All will be one of OutWest’s biggest and most exciting events yet.
Chairperson of OutWest, Rosie Dore, said: “The aim of this event will be not only to offer a day of entertainment for the people of Ballina – including the LGBT+ community as well as their friends, families, allies and anyone wishing to show their support – but also to highlight the profile of the LGBT+ community as one of the many vibrant and wonderful communities that call Ballina home, and one very worthy of celebrating.
“As Ballina celebrates its 300th anniversary, we feel there is no better time to pay homage to the diversity of our local people with this joyous day of festivities, and we hope you will join us in our celebration.”
Marketing manager with Ballina 2023, Anne-Marie Flynn, added: “We’re very proud and excited to include this partnership with OutWest on our Ballina 2023 programme of events. Our 300th birthday is an opportunity for everyone in our community to celebrate the occasion in their own way and to connect with others, and we hope the wider community will support OutWest in this great day out.”
The Drag Bingo Night will also play an important role in raising funds for OutWest so that the organisation may continue its vital support for LGBT+ people and allies.
Tickets are available for sale at www.outwest.ie and www.ballina2023.ie, and updates will be posted on both social media pages.