What A Difference A Day Made

Celebrate the difference the YES vote made​ with a free community festival on Saturday May 24th in Collins Barracks!

Whether you voted Yes, shared a post, had a conversation that mattered, or simply felt the change the 2015 Equal Marriage Referendum brought — this celebration is for you.

If you got married because of that vote, bring your partner, your friends, your family — everyone who was part of your journey.

If you’re younger, new to Ireland, or weren’t here at the time, come see what it meant, and be part of what comes next.

This is a celebration of love, progress, and community — and everyone is welcome.

Celebrate the difference the YES vote made​.

Main Stage

Community Festival

With over 20 community organisations present at the event, this is your chance to connect with your community or even consider volunteering with one of the amazing groups who work to make a difference every day. We’ll also have a selection of food vendors including the museum’s newly opened café by Synge & Byrne.

Visiting the Museum

The National Musem – Collins Barracks will remain open to the public all day. If you are visiting the museum, there’s no need to book a ticket. If you’re coming to our community festival, why not plan some extra time to include a stroll around the museum and its many wonderful exhibitions including its Rainbow Trail?

The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks’ new LGBTQIA+ tour views the exhibitions through alternative lenses, bringing some hidden histories and perspectives to the fore. Explore the Museum, looking at objects and individuals from the 17th to the 21st century, and learn about a wide variety of identities, genders and sexualities along the way, launching in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum.

Tours will begin in Reception at Collins Barracks. Booking for the weekend tours is not required. However, places are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.


LGBTQIA+ Tours:
11.00
12.00
13.00 (ISL Interpreted)
14.00
15.00
16.00


The ISL-interpreted tour will start at 13:00 in Reception at Collins Barracks. No booking is required. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, however, priority will be given to members of the Deaf community and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

For more information, visit museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History

For full listings of the great events running in the museum see museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2025/Q2/What-a-Difference-a-Day-Made-Marriage-Equality-Ref

Support or Donate to this Event

This is a free event made possible by the support of our event partners listed below. If you would like to support this event, you can make a donation or purchase a commemorative silicone wristband which you can collect at the event by selecting the appropriate ticket option.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions apply and may be updated without notice.