Max HeyraudWe’re spotlighting five queer collectives from across the Emerald Isle who are ripping up the rulebook.
From Galway to Belfast, a new wave of crews are reimagining what queer Irish dancefloors can be: sweat-soaked, politically charged, radically inclusive, and proudly local. These parties are carving out space on their terms: DIY raves in unconventional venues, programming that cuts across genres, identities, and binaries. The dancefloor becomes more than just a party: it’s a protest and it’s a pleasure.
Cheek Records, Galway
Cheek Records has been steadily building a bridge between Galway and Berlin, blending the hedonistic rave spirit of the Irish underground with the refined, boundary-pushing ethos of Berlin’s queer club scene. Spearheaded by Supergross, with residents Alistair, Sleepyhead, and Menace, their events are gloriously genre-fluid, ranging from pounding techno to silky-smooth progressive house. Their latest party concept, Horsepower Club, gallops ahead with sweaty, intimate, cauldron-like dancefloors, inviting dancers into a space where intensity and intimacy collide. Cheek isn’t just throwing parties, they’re shaping culture across borders.
Dublin Modular
One of Ireland’s leading collectives, Dublin Modular, has set a new standard for what can be achieved through a DIY mindset. Known for immersive dancefloor experiences, leftfield sonics, and a live hardware approach, they embody counterculture in both form and function. The goal isn’t just to throw a party, it’s to create a space where outliers, whether performers or dancers, feel seen. Beyond the club, their workshops, talks, and commitment to safer spaces show that community is at the heart of what they do.
Ponyhawke, Belfast
Belfast’s Ponyhawke is a queer-led institution that’s been running strong for nearly a decade. Described as an “inclusive space for the curious, outrageous, and free spirits,” the party has become a trusted safe space, mainly hosted at Ulster Sports Club. Run by true diggers, co-founders Marion Hawkes and Pony M keep things simple and focused on the music. Their residents hold their own beside guests like Peach or Jordan Nocturne, and the party’s longevity is proof of a community that deeply believes in what Ponyhawke stands for.
DYKE NITE, Limerick & Galway
DYKE NITE is a party for lovers and others, for trans women and men, butches and bisexuals, fags and femmes, sapphics and stones, and everyone in between. Born out of Cork and Limerick’s underground, the collective has built a sanctuary for gender-bending freedom through high-energy, DIY events that defy Ireland’s limited nightlife hours. With their sound systems, open programming, and accessible ticketing, they’re creating something genuinely fresh. In a country where nightlife infrastructure outside Dublin is sparse, organisers Neev Kennedy, El Reid-Buckley, and DJ Egg are putting their hearts into building something both joyous and vital.
Tender, Dublin
Dublin’s Tender has quickly become one of the most beloved queer parties in the city. Their name reflects their ethos: an open, welcoming refuge where people can show up fully as themselves. Resident DJs and co-founders: Mercorn (Megan), Bull Horris (Bill), Gary (James), and James strike a rare balance between throwing properly wild parties and using their platform to speak on politics, sustainability, and trans rights. From block parties to warehouse raves, they reimagine spaces and turn them into supercharged dancefloors. Tender is simply one of Dublin’s most impressive parties right now.
