Hey, guys. I know it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been dealing with school and other things, but I'm back for now. Here's the skinny: my friend and I are going to Ireland in January. We're hitting up Dublin, Cork and Galway, but we'll be going through the countryside as well. Does anyone know about Gay Dublin? Does gay even exist in other parts of the country? We sorta have an outline of what we'd like to do. My friend wants to see Giant's Causeway and the Waterford Factory, but we're open to suggestions. If anyone has any tips, please pass them my way! Thanks!

Is this a straight male friend you are out to, a straight female friend secretly in love with you, a gay male friend you've slept with and gotten over, or a lesbian female friend you've slept with and gotten over? I think it makes a slight difference. Cheers

Ah, Falconpride! Returning to the old sod, eh? Brilliant! Or are you going to see if there's any truth to the Irish Curse? No matter, take my word for it, you'll have a wonderful time!!! I haven't been to Ireland in January, but you'll find a vibrant city in Dublin. And the people are truly some of the friendliest in the world!! There's a great blog of a real sweet American guy living in Dublin and working there. Contact him, and I know he'll give you some helpful hints!

American Irish

Here's one for gay community events et al:
GCN.IE

Snag me a Ginger-headed man while you're over there! If he won't come back with you, just have a good snog with him!!

Temple Bar area, that's all you need.

Jay. she's a straight female friend who's the best a gay can want. And Cowboy, thanks for the info. I'll give that guy a shout when I get a chance.

Look for the "Fag on the Craig" statue of Oscar Wilde in Dublin.

There is a very small gay scene in Dublin. Dublin's a small city by US standards (metro area around a million or so) and Ireland's total population is around 3 million. Ireland's public policy was very heavily influenced by the Catholic Church until 20 or so years ago. Divorce only became legal since then; abortion is still outlawed. I spent summers there as a kid, and there was absolutely no pornography or condoms -- at least not on any store shelves. I remember a visiting uncle took home to Ireland two or three Playboy magazines. The centerfolds remained nailed up inside his barn for ten years.

But back to your question, I think there are two gay bars in the Temple Bar district, but that's about it. There's almost no gay life in Ireland outside Dublin, but you may find some gay-friendly places in Cork or Galway (cities with a higher concentration of uni students).

The great thing about Ireland is that the people are extremely, genuinely friendly and outgoing. Despite that lack of gay life, you should have no problem at all in Ireland. People will gladly engage you in conversation and you'll quickly make good friends.

Oh, I can assure anyone who is interested: the "Irish curse" is completely baseless.

Ireland was so incredibly conservative until recently. I remember a Spanish girl who had visited in the 1980s telling me she had to ditch her whole wardrobe cos she was taken for a prostitute in Dublin

Which one might that be Aqua?

Woof! Irish men. Be still my beating heart!!!

I could show you if you really want to know.

HEY! You're gettin nathty!

Thanks for the rundown, Aqua! And I can't wait to hear the Irish lilt...

I found the men over there incredibly sexy, also. My "type" is athletic to slim in build, so I was practically wiping off the drool 24/7.

Can I go to Ireland too?

Yeah! Can I go too?

Sorry, boys. Girls only!

I'll go in drag...I promise.

I've been gone for a minute but I'm back. Have fun in Ireland FalconPride!

Only one week to go! Yee haw!