‘Historic’ first Pride parade held in Co Fermanagh

Hundreds gathered in Enniskillen today for the very first Pride march to be held in Co Fermanagh.

Organisers say more than 300 took part in the parade itself while up to 1,000 people were in attendance.

The parade made its way through the town centre before ending up at Enniskillen Castle where there was live music, entertainment, food and local stalls.

“We were completely overwhelmed with the level of support that we got from spectators,” said Fermanagh Pride’s Wellbeing Officer, Geraldine McGovern.

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“This is what we have worked so hard for over the last year and to see so much support and so many people coming out together and sharing that kind of space was amazing.”

Fermanagh Pride was established in 2022 but today’s march marked the first time a pride parade had been held in the county.

“Going back a number of years, people may not have thought that this would have been a possibility,” Geraldine said.

“As a rural community we can sometimes be seen as not as up-to-date with the times, but going by today, you would never have thought that.

“The cheers and the screams when we were coming up the main town area just echoed that solidarity.”

While the hope is that next year’s event will be “bigger and better”, Geraldine is thankful to those who came out to support the event, as well as organisational support from the National Lottery, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and local businesses.

Those attending today’s event included local councillor, Eddie Roofe of Alliance, who said there were “bumper crowds” for the parade, adding that it was “great to see so many lining the streets and even more down at the castle”.

“What a perfect day for it,” he said.

“Enniskillen is looking very beautiful today.”