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This workshop, rooted in the academic and activist history of LGBT movements in Ireland, explored the early years of activism, archival documentation, and the role of storytelling in shaping LGBT histories.

Dr Mary McAuliffe (UCD)

LGBT Activism in Ireland, 1973-2023: Looking Back, Going Forward

LGBT Activism in Ireland, 1973-2023: Looking Back, Going Forward is a UCD project which comprised of two workshops which were organised by Dr Mary McAuliffe (Director, UCD Gender Studies), in partnership with the National LGBT Federation (NXF), and funded by a Research Ireland New Foundations award.

The workshops – History of LGBT Activism in Ireland and Where We’re Going – Backlash, Solidarity, and Mobilising took place in UCD Humanities Institute in April 2025. Podcasts from the workshops are now available on History Hub.

Listen on Soundcloud

Workshop 1 - History of LGBT Activism in Ireland

This workshop, rooted in the academic and activist history of LGBT movements in Ireland, explored the early years of activism, archival documentation, and the role of storytelling in shaping LGBT histories. The workshop brought together historians, activists, and researchers who have worked to document and shape Irish LGBT history from the 1970s to the present.

Panel 1: The Early Years of LGBT Activism (1970s-1990s)

Panel 1 featured:

Mary Dorcey (Poet, writer and member of the Irish Sexual Liberation Movement and Irish Women United)
Ger Moane (Psychologist, writer, feminist and queer activist)
Ailbhe Smyth (Feminist & LGBT activist)
Tonie Walsh (Activist, historian, writer, Irish Queer Archive)
Patricia Prendiville (Activist and advocate formerly of ILGA-Europe).
Mary McAuliffe (Historian, Director, UCD Gender Studies)

Listen on Soundcloud

Panel 2: Writing our Histories

Panel 2 featured:

Páraic Kerrigan (UCD)
Sonja Tiernan (Irish Humanities Alliance)
Orla Egan (Cork LGBT Archive)
Sara Phillips (Irish Trans Archive)
Morgan Wait (Chair, UCD)

Listen on Soundcloud

Panel 3: Roundtable Discussion on Documenting the Movement: Queer Histories, Public and Personal Archives, Collective Memory

Panel 3 featured:

Mary McAuliffe (Historian, Director, UCD Gender Studies)
Tonie Walsh (Irish Queer Archive)
Orla Egan (Cork LGBT Archive)
Sara Phillips (Irish Trans Archive)
Páraic Kerrigan (UCD).

Listen on Soundcloud

Podcast: History of LGBT Activism in Ireland

The podcast featured:

Mary Dorcey (Poet, writer and member of the Irish Sexual Liberation Movement and Irish Women United)
Ailbhe Smyth (Feminist & LGBT activist)
Tonie Walsh (Activist, historian, writer, Irish Queer Archive)
Mary McAuliffe (Historian, Director, UCD Gender Studies)

Listen on Apple | Spotify | Soundcloud

Workshop 2 - Where We’re Going – Backlash, Solidarity, and Mobilising

This workshop explored the contemporary landscape of LGBT rights in Ireland, addressing the current backlash against LGBT activism, strategies for cross-sectoral mobilisation, and the role of academia in supporting advocacy and policy change.

Panel 1: The State of LGBT Rights in Ireland Today

Panel 1 featured:

Sinéad Keane (BeLonG To Youth Services)
Paula Fagan (LGBT Ireland)
Ailbhe Smyth (Feminist & LGBT activist)
Scott Cuthbertson (The Rainbow Project)
The discussion was facilitated by Ruth Baldacchino (PhD Student, UCD Gender Studies).

Listen on Soundcloud

Panel 2: Intersectionality, Advocacy & Collective Action

Panel 2 featured:

Tanya Ni Mhuirthile (Legal scholar, DCU)
Pradeep Mahadeshwar (visual artist & filmmaker)
Alice Linehan (GCN Editor)
Daire Dempsey (Transgender Equality Network Ireland)
Bulelani Mfaco – activist who works on Migration and Asylum issues
The facilitator was Molly Taylor (PhD Student, Newcastle University).

Listen on Soundcloud

Panel 3: Strengthening Solidarity and Mobilisation

Panel 3 featured:

Chris Noone (University of Galway and NXF)
Morr O’Malley (TransHealth Action)
Paula Fagan (LGBT Ireland)
Scott Cuthbertson (The Rainbow Project)
The facilitator was Mary McAuliffe (Director, UCD Gender Studies).

Listen on Soundcloud

Podcast: Where We’re Going – Backlash, Solidarity, and Mobilising

The podcast featured:

Chris Noone (University of Galway and NXF)
Pradeep Mahadeshwar (visual artist & filmmaker)
Morr O’Malley (TransHealth Action)
The facilitator was Mary McAuliffe (Director, UCD Gender Studies).

Listen on Soundcloud

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