Heartlands Pride to host Drag Cruise fundraiser on Athlone's Viking boat
By Emily Sheehan
Heartlands Pride, which hosted the first ever Pride celebrations in Athlone last November, will be staging its first fundraiser of this year on the River Shannon on Saturday, August 24.
The fundraiser will take the form of a Drag Cruise on Viking Mike's Boat, which will leave from Athlone Castle at 5pm. Participants are invited on board to have a drink as the boat sets sail on the river.
There will be entertainment on board including a drag show from the Haus of Kwen, performances from Bombshell Pole and music from Athlone Singer, Liadh (Leah Moloney), who will be performing her debut single “Can’t Face the Day”. This event is organised in collaboration with Midlands LGBT+ Project.
Heartlands Pride's first Pride celebrations in Athlone last November consisted of a wine and cheese night at Fine Café, a Pride Breakfast in the Bastion Kitchen, the 'Rainbow Umbrella Market' in Dead Centre Brewing, and a Drag show and afterparty hosted by the Haus of Kwen in The Venue.
In addition to this, the committee also organised a vigil for those in the LGBT+ Community who have unfortunately passed away, and they held an arts of craft session called “The Art of Drag”.
Heartlands Pride hopes to have its second Pride Celebration again in November 2024, with date yet to be confirmed.
Christine O’Mahony, Chairperson of Heartlands Pride, said: “We are ever so thankful for Viking Mike, for supporting us once again with our Pride events.
“We want to make sure Heartlands Pride is bigger and louder this year, which is why we hope we can raise as much as possible during our fundraiser.”
“Keep an eye on our socials, Heartlands Pride will be putting on more social events to get to know the rest of the LGBT+ community in Athlone.”
Tickets for the Drag Cruise cost €25, all proceeds will go towards the official Heartlands Pride in November, and are available on Eventbrite.
There will also be a raffle taking place, for which Heartlands Pride has called on all local businesses interested in donating a prize to contact them via: heartlandspride.athlone@gmail.com