The Outing Festival
| The Outing Festival | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annually in February |
| Location | Ireland |
| Inaugurated | February 2013 |
| Organised by | Eddie McGuinness (founder and festival director) |
| Sponsors |
|
| Website | theouting |
The Outing Festival is the world's only LGBT+ matchmaking festival held in County Clare, Ireland in February. In 2026, it was held as part of the The Outing Queer Arts Collective and Winter Pride Festival.[1]
History
The Outing Festival began in 2013, launched as the world's first LGBT+ matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, inspired by the long-standing matchmaking festival.[2] It was founded by Eddie McGuinness.[3] The 2014 festival was hosted by Panti Bliss with Willie Daly as the matchmaker.[2] As well as matchmaking, the event hosts comedy, live music, DJs, queer arts, and drag performances.[4]
In 2015, Katrina Leskanich and The Nualas performed at the festival.[5]
1000 people attended the festival in 2023, with people attending from other countries.[6][7] The 2024 festival was hosted by festival director, Eddie McGuinness, and drag queen Victoria's Secret,[4] and took place in Dromoland.[6] In 2026, The Outing Queer Arts Collective and Winter Pride Festival was held in Ennis. The Cheeky Girls performed at the 2026 festival.[8]
References
- ↑ Barry, Sarah McKenna (12 February 2026). "LGBTQ+ festival The Outing set to return for star-studded weekend of matchmaking". GCN. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- 1 2 McGuire, Peter (1 October 2014). "Ireland's Gay Matchmaking Festival: The Outing, Lisdoonvarna, October 3-6". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ O'Brien, Zoie (21 February 2025). "All You Need to Know About Irelands 'The Outing' Festival The Outing Festival: The LGBTQ+ matchmaking weekend in Ireland". nonchalantmagazine.com. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- 1 2 "The Outing: The World's Only LGBTQ+ Matchmaking Festival Returns". Go Wild Magazine. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ Parkinson, Hannah Jane (15 October 2015). "The Outing: Ireland's gay matchmaking festival". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- 1 2 Fetherston, Sinann (8 February 2024). "The Outing: LGBTQ+ matchmaking festival returns to Co. Clare". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ O'Reilly, Alison (12 February 2024). "The Outing: Pride, joy, and fun at world's only LGBT+ matchmaking festival". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ Quinn, Jessica (14 February 2026). "The Outing to bring the Cheeky Girls to Ennis for Winter Pride Festival". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
