The Dublin Festival of History is back from September 27 to October 13, offering a diverse range of events celebrating Ireland’s rich historical and cultural legacy. There are also some queer events in the mix, and we’ve compiled a selection of some of the most intriguing.
Broken Archangel: The Tempestuous Lives of Roger Casement
Author Roland Phillips will explore the extraordinary life of Roger Casement, a man who became internationally renowned for exposing atrocities in the Belgian Congo in 1904 and later for his humanitarian work in the Amazon.
However, Casement had a complex identity—neither fully Irish nor English, Protestant nor Catholic and desperate for a forbidden love. His doomed wartime effort to promote an Irish invasion and his trial for treason sealed his fate.
In this fantastic event, Phillips will discuss his new biography, shedding light on the internal struggles that shaped Casement’s life and legacy. Tickets are available here.
From Prejudice to Punk to Pride
Join Eoin Freeney, former lead singer of the Dublin punk band Chant! Chant! Chant! and founder of Muted Cupid, Ireland’s first LGBTQ+ theatre group, as he reflects on the transformative power of the post-punk era.
Freeney will discuss how figures like Phil Chevron and Bob Geldof inspired a new generation to challenge societal norms and claim their voices. The discussion will be chaired by Dublin City Historian in Residence, Elizabeth Kehoe, making it the perfect addition for your Dublin Festival of History agenda. Tickets are available here.
Queer Femininities of Late 19th and 20th Century Ireland
This panel, led by historian Mary McAuliffe, will delve into the underexplored histories of queer women in Ireland. McAuliffe will discuss Irish female revolutionaries and their same-sex relationships.
Panellists include Sonja Tiernan, focusing on the queer Suffrage couple Eva Gore Booth and Esther Roper, Maurice Casey, who will speak on queer women in 1920s Ireland, and Leanne McCormack, discussing lesbian women and Northern Irish politics. Tickets are available here.
Reeling in The Queers
Marking 50 years since the founding of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ rights movement, Reeling in the Queers uncovers the often-overlooked stories of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights since 1974, extending beyond milestones like decriminalisation and Marriage Equality.
These stories highlight a resilient community and its allies, bridging generations to share a narrative of victories, setbacks, heartbreak, and the strength that emerged from adversity. Former President Mary McAleese has praised Reeling in the Queers as “a fascinating read.”
Author Páraic Kerrigan will present his research, drawing from oral histories and archival materials.
These events highlight the rich and often overlooked aspects of Irish history. From the life of Roger Casement to the impact of queer femininities and the punk movement on Ireland’s cultural evolution, the Dublin Festival of History promises to offer something for everyone with an interest in Ireland’s diverse and queer past.
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