Lavender Walk – Tonie’s Queer History Walking Tour of Dublin

Overview

The original LGBTQ+ history walking tour of Dublin hosted by Tonie Walsh, every day during Dublin Pride week.

About this event

Long considered an indispensable part of Dublin Pride, Lavender Walk, Tonie’s queer history tour of Dublin returns this June for a limited run.

Tour departs from Bernardo Square, next to City Hall. Duration: 90 mins approx. Dress fabulous.

Your Host, Tonie Walsh

Archivist, activist and historian, Tonie Walsh has had a long engagement with Ireland’s LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, stretching back to 1979. He also has a huge knowledge of Dublin’s queer social history, having spent many years working as a DJ and events promoter.

Tonie is a co-founder of GCN magazine, which he edited during its early, pioneering years.

In 1997, he re-organised archive holdings of various groups including the National LGBT Federation into what would later become known as the Irish Queer Archive (IQA). The archive was transferred to state ownership at the National Library of Ireland in 2008.

Throughout 2021, he co-curated the ambitious Living With Pride programme at the National Library of Ireland. More recently, he’s been involved with the digitisation of GCN, Ireland’s oldest LGBTQ+ periodical.

Praise for Lavender Walk

There was a lovely pace to the walk and Tonie is very giving in his stories. It didn’t feel fixed and structured. Albert

Tonie was such an amazing and welcoming person, I highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to learn more about the LGBTQ cultuer in Dublin or Ireland. This visit was a great way to start my trip in Dublin. Thank you Tonie! Angélique

Would highly recommend this. He was enthusiastic, humourous, informative but very emotional when telling true stories about real people who passionately tried to change laws and atttitudes. Tonie also had huge knowledge about architecture and Ireland’s history in general. Tom & Debbie

Tonie is a remarkable storyteller; we were capitvated. What a great experience to understand both the history of Ireland and the history of the LGBTQ community – and how the two are indelibly intertwined. I could have listened all day and loved his company. Bianca

Participants enjoying Lavender Walk during Dublin Pride 2022. (Pic: Tonie Walsh)

The Examiner newspaper reports on Tonie’s walking tour during celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Dublin’s iconic bar, The George.