Gay Limerick Bar closes due to vandalisim
Limericks first gay owned bar, 'Kruisers', has been forced to close due to attacks by vandals and little community support. On Oct 6th a man entered the bar threw paint around the interior causing £3000 worth of damage, which forced the pub to open only when there was a bouncer present, however the front of the premises was futher vandalised while the pub was closed. Pub owners feel they had no choice but to close.

Dispute Over Gay HQ
Controversy currently surrounds 'The Hirschfeld Centre' in Temple Bar, the center was once the hub of gay and lesbian activities in Dublin in the late 1970s and early 1980s before a fire completly destroyed the building. Currently worth £500,000 the building was purchased for only £69,500 in which Senator David Norris held a 60% share. The dispute is over the ownership of the center with the 'Gay and Lesbian Federation' claiming that as a charitable trust it was never designed that the shareholders should obtain personal financial gain from it.
for more info see http://www.irish-times.com/irish-times/paper/1998/1023/courts17.html

Even More Halloween Festivities
No-one can complain that theres nothing to do this Halloween with all the major clubs running events. We've already posted details of the Outhouse party in the tivoli and the wonderbar party in the temple bar music center. Also that weekend there's '3some' on Friday and 'the playground' on Sunday.
(see below)
'The George' has also announced it's Halloween party, "Dreamtime 98" which promises to be Dublin's biggest Halloween party and boasts a George like we've never seen B4 (the mind boggles).. The George has also announced entertainment for the week leading up to Halloween..
With "Disco Inferno" on their Thursday 70's night and "Rose Royce" (Car wash, wishing on a star) starring Gwen Dickey on stage at 12:00
Friday plays host to "Jocelyn Brown" who will be live on stage at 12:00

Three of the saunas have also announced Halloween parties.. (ones you dont need to dress up for too I imagine)

The Dock is holding a "Gotham Karnival", so expect a batman, gothic theme and they are offering FREE entrance from 1 in the afternoon on OCT 31st until 1 in the afternoon on Nov 1st
Free food, free shots and movies will also be provided.

The Boilerhouse is hosting an all night halloween party begining at midnight on Sat 31st OCT until breakfast on Sunday morning.

The Vortex will be home to "The Black Ball" which promises Party Time from 11pm 'til very late, everything from Music, Dance, Drinks and Refreshments are provided and be warned that advertisments state "anything goes"... hmmm

Fresh Nightclub to Close on its birthday
Fresh is having an unusual party this Wednesday (the 28th) with both the celebration of its birthday and its closure. The club (which is home to drag queen, "Annie Balls", first began on Sunday nights and later moved onto Wednesday nights. Fresh is hoping to return hopefuly later on in the year when it's home "The Buttery Brasserie", of the Royal Hibernian Way is redeveloped. Fresh was one of the few clubs that made an effort, with free sausages and chips and choccies etc.. also 'Fresh' was the first place I got to see the tellitubies on their wide screen Tv's. (come back soon)

Dundalk Newspaper refuses 'coming out day' advertisement
'The Dundalk Democrat' newspaper has refused to publish an advertisement for National Coming Out Day, The advertisement was the standard one, placed in many other papers and on the radio but the paper stated "As an independent news medium we are entitled to accept or refuse to accept any news item or advertisement as we see fit" meanwhile The coming-out day commitee are celebrating a huge success and plan to run the event next year again, hopefuly with an event to coincide with the proceedings, this year they estimate that during coming out week they received between 400 and 500 calls.

Dress code for 3some
More news on the POD's Threesome event, it appears organisers fear huge crowds, as anytime 'powderbubble' has been on before it has completely sold out and the venue has always been much larger (the red box) so now they are reccomending customers to adhere to dress code standards to be sure of getting in. The dress code for "gag" is Strictly Fetish, for "powderbubble" its Future Gender and for "HAM" it's Hard Hamsters. No idea how one would go about dressing as a hard hamster, so my guess is just make an effort, Future Gender should also raise a few eyebrows, at previous "Powderbubbles" I've seen people dressed up as hoovers and school kids and after all it is halloween.

27th October 1998

Smalltalk cafe closed?
Dublin's popular gay cafe has closed its doors, no info is available as to a reopening date, altho a handwritten note on the door informs customers that they are closed for renovations. The George used to give out prizes at bingo for meals at smalltalk cafe but this has been stopped for the past two weeks. Hopefuly the renovations won't take long and a new look cafe will open it's doors soon.

Ibiza Foam Party
Back in September we promised more info on the Ibiza Foam Party, well the date is set for Sunday the 8th of November, it is to be held in "The Playground" at "Republica", people i've spoken to have advised to bring a change of clothes or wear very little.. hmmmm sounds like an interesting night :)

Also at The Playground this month, "Mr Gay-Ireland Final 1998" on Monday 26th!!


November at Wonderbar
This November looks set to be another great month for entertainment with some top acts signed up for Wonderbar, acts include "one night in heaven", an M people Tribute band appearing on Nov 14th
and one of my fave acts "Lizzie Drip" is back on Nov 28th (Lizzie now has a 7 month waiting list). Also dont forget your exclusive internet vouchers for Wonderbars halloween night, which promises great prizes (including ca$h prizes for fancy dress and a Television set as a members prize).

The Triumphant Return of "Annie Balls"
Last Sunday witnessed the return of one of Dublins favorite drag queens to bingo, people may remember Annie stopped doing bingo some months ago, the victim of one OTT joke on Mr. Pussy but obviously all is forgiven as Annie was back on stage last weekend (complete with a spider wig) and completely stole the show. Penny Bridge had better watch her back :)
Annie still hosts "Fresh" at the Buttery Brasserie every Wednesday

No YMCA
Fans of the 'village people' were disapointed by a no show from the band last weekend at "Paradise", Unfortunatly some of the band are out of action with the flu, However singer 'Chris Morris' stood in for the band and had the crowd singing and dancing, Chris was aparantly in great form as he had just signed a major record deal and is expecting a single release in January!!

Waterford Awakens
Glad to announce that the gay scene in Waterford is starting to make a revival. Waterford Assembly, the local gay and lesbian support and social group was founded in 1993. Over the past 2 years the group has declined and the regional gay helpline "Gay Line South East" almost stopped functioning. But now the group has now been revived and is starting to organise local events again.
Last month saw the first gay disco in Waterford since 1996. It was held in Garter Lane Arts Centre and over 100 locals attended. Disco's are planned for each month upto January and are worth attending. The venue is styled on something like Wonderbar - where a theatre is converted into a dance floor for the event.
To date there is no gay pub in Waterford, but like Galway and Limerick there are pubs where the local gentlemen of taste socialist.
Details on further events or discos will be posted as soon as they arrive. Who knows maybe an internet invasion of the Sunny South East would bring some much needed life to the crystal city.

Inn On The Liffey In Crap Web Site Shocker
Yes indeed.. the worst web site ever has got to be the new Inn on the liffey web site...
They have even taken out an add in the Current Issue of UK magazine "Gay Times" to announce their website.. but when you get there all it has is "Please call +353 1 677 0828 For Further Information"
They could have printed that in the add rather than refer people to their web site.. hopefuly it will be changed soon.. but if you really want to see it have a look at http://www.clubi.ie/guest_and_sauna

13th October 1998

Fair City to introduce AIDS storyline
Fans of RTE's Dublin based soap "Fair City" are set for a sensational AIDS related storyline involving the soaps gay characters. Recent events in the popular show have hinted at Eoghan suspecting that his boyfriend, Andrew is cheating on him, even thinking he could be married but the story reaches its climax next Tuesday (the 20th) when Eoghan calls to Andrews home unexpectedly and details of Andrews former lover are revealed. Andrew's ex will be played by "Raymond Keane" and the storyline will show how he is suffering from AIDS, Eoghan is also advised to go for a test. This is one of the most sensational storylines every written for an RTE show and is sure to pull in viewers.

Boyzone play GAY club
Irish band Boyzone played G.A.Y in London, one of Europes largest gay clubs on Saturday (the 10th), This is the 2nd time so far this year that the fab five have played the famous venue, which has also housed other world famous acts such as "All Saints" and "Ash". Boyzone rushed straight from their sell out Wembley show to play the club... here's hoping for a similar show in Dublin one day??

Three Dublin Clubs To Merge
Three popular Dublin clubs are to merge for "One Night Only", The event see's "H.A.M", "Powderbubble" & "Gag" combining under the name "Threesome". The Chocolate bar will play host to "Powderbubble", while "Gag" will run from the Back Bar and "Ham" from the POD tunnel.
more info from the pod web site http://www.pod.ie

Scene on Scene
Popular UK band, Ocean Colour Scene's frontman, Simon Fowler (33) has been outed by the Sun Newspaper. He explained it it something he had always feared would happen but he has since approached his mum and dad, who have been brilliant about it, he believes what should have been one of the worst days in his life turned into one of the best. Simon has since bought a house and is planning to move in with his boyfriend... hurrah!!

The return of Telefunkin
The campest party in CORK is to return on October the 17th, while not exclusivly gay, this club welcomes all with open arms and reviews from people on scene in Cork have been very positive. Many have said this is the best club in Ireland. The club is run from the Metropole Hotel and boasts guest DJs Ease, Mick Heaney & Jim Carroll.
If anyone would like to send a review of this club for the NEW review pages write to gay_ireland@hotmail.com

Coming Out Day - A huge success

Today the 10th of October launches Irelands first ever coming out day.. It has been backed with intense media coverage, including radio and newspaper advertisment.
Yesterdays Evening Herald carried a two page article on gay life in Ireland and had a section on coming out.
"In Dublin" Magazine carried articles on it too, including small articles on Shirley Temple bar, Graham Norton and Boy George.
If anyone knows of any media articles, please send details of them.
Futher info can be got from Irelands 1998 page -> http://www.clubi.ie/club2000/comeout/
or from the National Coming Out Day page -> http://www.msu.edu/~alliance/97ncod.htm

Helplines are open until midnight tonight, To find a helpline close to your area phone Dublin (01) 8721717 or from Northern Ireland 0870-6082030
These numbers are a recorded message with details of local numbers to call, there are 14 helpcenters in Ireland.

Discussion List Archives Removed

The Archive of the new #Gay-Ireland Mailing list has been removed from the web, this has only been done for security reasons, previously people who were not on the mailing list could read what people were posting to the group thru a web site, however the Archive is now removed and the only way to read mail sent to the mailing list is to actually join it.
You can join the list from http://gayireland.listbot.com

Out On The Liffey introduces new theme nights
Change is on the way in "out on the liffey", Dublins only Northside gay bar, New theme nights are currently planned and older ones receiving more advertising. October see's "International Drag" every Friday & Saturday night & every Sunday morning, and promises entertainment acts. Wednesday night has been completly revamped with the introduction of a "Youravision" talent show, sponsored by Heineken, Heats begin on Wednesday the 7th of October and run until 2nd of December, with cash prizes!! Monday continues the succesful "Leather & Denim" night, which is run in association with Freedom at club za-zu.
In all it all sounds well planned but it will be interesting how many drag queens will show up first thing Sunday morning in full atire. (watch this space)

New gay "Jazz & Blues" bar for Dublin
Great news for Blues & Jazz lovers, actually good news for everyone who dislikes "thump thump thump" music, Dublin has a new weekly "Gay, Lesbian, Bi, TV & TG Blues and Jazz" Bar Starting off it will only be on Thursday nights, upstairs in "The Jute Bar" on Aungier Street. It boasts live acts and a resident DJ, doors open at 9pm and admission is £3/£5 after 11pm
(Appearing Oct 15 = "The Hot Jazz Trio & Herb)

YMCA
Couldnt think of a suitable heading to introduce this one,
"The Village People - New Recruits to Play Ireland for the first time"
just doesnt sound right, but anyways, The village people are to play Paradise at the Tivoli on Saturday - 17th of October, it is advertised as "The new recruits" so don't expect zimmer frames just new members and do expect all the hits YMCA, In the Navy & Macho Man to name but three.
For more info (and an exclusive internet money off voucer) see www.wonderbar.net