ABOUT
The GALAS
Ireland’s only LGBTQ+ awards, the GALAS, will make its return this October.
Taking place in a new venue, the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on 5th October, the GALAS is a unique opportunity to celebrate, empower and connect Ireland’s glittering LGBTQ+ community.
The GALAS celebrate the people, communities and organisations from all over Ireland who have a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community and who are actively striving for a just and equal society.
Last year’s GALAS celebration was a moving, uplifting and fun night – a much-needed positive occasion for the community.
Hosting the awards will be the fabulous Paul Ryder and Cassie Stokes. The dynamic hosts will guide audiences through 13 categories, acknowledging the efforts made by individuals, organisations and companies who work towards a better future for LGBTQ+ people in Ireland.
Several performances will delight the audience throughout the night, including Gloria LGBTQ+ Choir with their opening concert, jaw-dropping music by Sexy Tadgh and an awesome afterparty DJed by the one and only Glamo.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you or your organisation are interested in supporting or sponsoring the GALAS, please email aarya@gcn.ie.
Categories
Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, with paid staff, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland. This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Community Organisation of the Year – volunteer staff
This Award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ organisation, run & delivered by volunteers, who have actively contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland. This community organisation will have shown considerable leadership & innovation in how they meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Volunteer of the Year
This award goes to an individual for their voluntary efforts on behalf of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community. For the most part, the LGBTQ+ community of Ireland runs on a very special fuel: the efforts of hundreds of volunteers working for organisations around the country. This award honours those LGBTQ+ individuals who unselfishly give their time and energy for the greater good. It is not open to organisations.
Event of the Year
This Award recognises the importance of events for the life of the LGBTQ+ community. The event of the year must have actively promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and provided a strong platform for LGBTQ+ visibility.
Joe Drennan – LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer
This award is given to a young person (between the ages of 18 - 25 years) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in their community, school, academic institution, workplace or in society, at large. This young person will be considered a trailblazer because they have encouraged and supported other young people to be proud of who they are and how they can contribute to society.
Sports Award
This award goes to a sports group or sporting individual in Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community who has demonstrated leadership in the role that LGBTQ+ people have in sport or has created inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people in sport.
Arts & Entertainment
This award recognises an outstanding LGBTQ+ individual or group working in the fields of arts or entertainment (this can be an author, playwright, artist, musician, blogger, social media entertainer, actor, director, producer or anyone or group working in the fields of arts, drama, music, theatre, literature, television, digital entertainment or film in Ireland who has created strong & accurate portrayals of LGBTQ+ people and their lives.
Noel Walsh HIV Activism
In memory of GCN’s much-missed HIV editor, Noel Walsh, this award goes to an outstanding individual or organisation working in the Irish HIV and AIDS sector.
GALAS LGBTQ+ Champion Awards
LGBTQ+ Ally
This award recognises an ally (individual, organisation, college, school, or university) of the LGBTQ+ community who has actively supported and made a difference, in exceptional ways, for the community in the last 2 years.
Outstanding Company
This award recognises the contribution that the business community and companies have in promoting the equal treatment and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in both the workplace and in society. This company will demonstrate its outstanding support by having inclusive workplace culture as well as be visible in the LGBTQ+ community, as a champion, through its support of LGBTQ+ community organisations.
LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
This Award is to recognise the important role that Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or Employee LGBTQ+ networks have in the workplace. This Award is given to an ERG who has mobilised and contributed to considerable change for LGBTQ+ employees in their respective workplaces.
Person of the Year
The Person of the Year Award recognises an LGBTQ+ individual who has made an outstanding contribution, as a role model and exceptional leader, to the LGBTQ+ community in the last 24 months. Their contribution will have improved the lives of LGBTQ+ people and they will have been recognised by the community for this.
Shortlists
Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
LGBT Ireland
Midlands LGBT+ Project
LGBTQ Development Project (Cumann na Daoine)
Dundalk Outcomers
Community Organisation of the Year – paid staff
Gay Project
GOSHH
Midlands LGBT+ Project
Outhouse
Community Organisation of the Year – volunteer staff
Clonmel Pride
Intersex Ireland
Trans Healthcare Action
Wicklow Pride
Volunteer of the Year
Anastasia McCormac
Ginell Healy
Mark O’Looney Cannon
Patricia Carey
Event of the Year
Bród na Gaeltachta 2024
Dublin Pride Run 2024
Dublin Trans & Intersex Pride 2024
LINC Q-Con Conference 2023
Joe Drennan – LGBTQ+ Young Trailblazer
CJ Smith
Conor Tormey
Jenny Maguire
Sarah Murray
Sports
Dublin Front Runners
In4Squash
Laochra Aeracha
Phoenix Tigers FC
Arts & Entertainment
Delishus O’Toole
Drag & Draw
Nazli Yildirim
Rory Cashin
Noel Walsh HIV Activism
Ann Mason
Bill Foley
MPOWER Programme Volunteers
Will Kennedy
LGBTQ+ Ally
Bohemian Football Club
Offaly Local Development Company
Prof. Agnes Higgins (TCD)
Tim Matthews
Outstanding Company
Accenture
Bank of Ireland
EY Ireland
PayPal
LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
EY’s Unity Network
LGBTQ+ @ Sky Ireland Network Group
Pride @ Accenture ERG
Proud to Work for Ireland Network (PWIN)
International Activist
Anna Sharyhina from Ukraine
Yildiz Tar from Turkey
Dafne "Muñeca" Aguilar from Mexico
Person of the Year
David Norris
Maeve Delargy
Patrick Bracken
Ranae von Meding
Sponsors
Awards recipients
FAQS
When do the nominations close?
Nominations closed on Monday, 12th August at 5pm.
Who can vote?
Voting is only open to residents and citizens of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The GALAS LGBTQ+ Awards recognise the contribution of individuals, groups, organisations and companies from within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
How does the nomination process work?
The public nominates in each category. A longlist is formed from all nominations. At the end of the nominations process, the longlists for each category will be distributed to LGBTQ+ organisations throughout Ireland. These organisations will select 4x nominees from the longlist who will make it to the shortlist. Shortlisted nominees are selected using the reasons provided in the nominating process and judged against a clear selection criterion provided by the National LGBT Federation.
Is food served at the event?
Canapés will be served along with a drinks reception from 7 to 9pm. (There is no sit-down meal).
Is there a bar at the event?
Yes, there is full bar service before the ceremony kicks off, but table service is only during the event, to cut down on noise. Last orders at 12.30am.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Yes, it is important to bring your ticket(s). Even a screengrab of your ticket on your phone will be great. We do find that the Eventbrite app is good but people sometimes delay in accessing it at the ticket area.
How long is the award ceremony?
Drinks and canapes- 7-8pm, Awards 8pm- 10pm.
Is there an after-party?
After the awards wrap up, Mother’s DJ Glamo will be spinning tunes with a full bar until 12.30am.
Is there a dress code? Is this a formal black-tie event?
It's not strictly a black-tie event, but dress to impress!
I have made it to the shortlist. Do I get a complimentary ticket?
Yes, you are entitled to a complimentary ticket. You will be emailed with the promo code that you can use on the seat map. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a complimentary ticket for your guest(s).
I've bought a ticket already, but now I'm on the shortlist/ my group is on the shortlist. Can I get a refund?
Thanks for buying early! Yes, you can get a refund – please email the organisers and we will sort it out.
I can't seem to buy more tickets when I use my promo code.
Correct. You have to log in once and use your code for a complimentary ticket, then login in a second time to buy additional tickets at the table you have chosen.
I want to get a table of 10 but they are greyed out or unavailable.
These tables are either booked out already or reserved. If the reservation is cancelled, these tables will be released.
What is the closing date for ticket sales?
When all the seats are sold, we will close off sales. Seats have been put on sale till the day of the event itself, but normally are sold out a week before the event.
I require an accessible seat.
Our event is fully accessible, however we recommend that people who require an accessibility seat let us know, just so that we make sure your seat is suitably located in the room.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Tickets are limited and only available online. No tickets are sold at the door.
Will there be gender-neutral bathrooms?
Yes, all bathrooms will be marked gender-neutral.
Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Email thegalas@nxf.ie with any queries