12 of the best: LGBT-owned Irish brands to shop for Pride month and beyond

This year, the displays are noticeably more subdued. The Business of Fashion reported that Nike did not release a Pride collection or campaign for the first time in 25 years, citing research that retailers are overall stocking less Pride-themed merchandise compared to last year, out of fear of a backlash. In 2023, a number of brands faced criticism for recognising Pride, including Bud Light, whose campaign with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney drew a furious boycott the beer company still hasn’t fully recovered from.

While some of the large retailers have shied away, there are many small, local, queer-run businesses you can shop from. We asked some Irish tastemakers for their favourites to support this Pride month — and all year round.

​Claddagh tank, €60, MNW Design

“Megan Walsh is a pioneering independent clothing designer and her stuff is absolutely stunning,” says Kevin Twomey (@kevin2mey), co-host of the I’m Grand Mam podcast. “In the colder months you’ve probably seen one of her colourful Claddagh scarves caressing a stranger’s neck but she also sells beautiful vests, caps and the cutest shorts, and her Irish heritage is always at the forefront of her creations.”

The cotton jersey tank tops are a standout, bedazzled with harps, Claddaghs or the words “Éire” and “Ireland”, available in sizes XS-L.​​​

Buy it here

Cinnamon buns, €5, Bear Lemon

As well as being stocked in Dublin’s Brew Lab, Ciara Lennon’s mobile bakery travels around Dublin, including outside Griffith Park in Drumcondra on Saturdays.

All of her bakes are vegan, and her top seller is the cinnamon bun, made with vanilla bean cream cheese topping and cinnamon crumb. For Pride weekend, she will be making maritozzi, an Italian cream bun with raspberry syrup, lemon cream and pistachio. Check out her Instagram (@bearlemon_) for menus and where to find her.

​Valentia Island Vermouth, €35 for 70cl, Celtic Whiskey Shop

“Anna and Orla [O’Carroll] are an amazing wife and wife team on Valentia Island. They even got married at the lighthouse there!” explains James Byrne, who co-founded sustainable lifestyle store Faerly.ie with his husband Eoin Houlihan. “We love everything about this gorgeous brand and how they tell their story on social media. And we could never go back to Aperol Spritz after trying the Valentia Spritz.”

Get it here.​

​Creme blush, €29, Lukey Beauty

Luke Nolan is the founder of this inclusive cosmetics brand, which is based in Dublin and manufactures in Italy. A colourist and educator, Nolan drew on his experience in the luxury beauty industry to develop his first collection of blushers, which consists of four shades in a creamy, buildable formula, packaged in adorable baby blue compacts. He is set to expand the range with two new shades in the coming months, with plans to launch in a major Irish retailer this autumn.

Find the range here.​

Cruffins, €4.50, Pickled

“Keely [Buckley] and Katy [Walsh] have made something really magical here and I can confirm their food is as good as it looks on Instagram,” James says of this deli in Macroom, Co Cork. “There’s often a queue and it’s honestly worth it.”

In addition to its seasonal sandwich specials, Pickled is known for its decadent filled cruffins, with regularly changing flavours like strawberry and mascarpone or peaches and cream.

Check them out on Instagram here.

Twisted Thistle bag, from €200, Mála Studio

Named after the Irish word for bag, this London-based studio was established by textile designer Hannah Whelan. She takes inspiration from Irish landscapes, culture and even ice-cream when making her fabulously unconventional accessories, from the sturdy Turf bag and the colourful Twisted Thistle to the playful Wibbly Wobbly Wonder totes.

Buy it here

​Pint hair claw clip, €15, Dream Deli

Food content creator Sian Conway (@sianconway) recommends this Dublin craft business. Owner Aoife McDermott sells a wide range of deli-themed items, such as sausage roll stickers, hashbrown tealight holders and hot wedge key rings.

“She does those gorgeous Guinness claw clips that have everyone in a chokehold online,” Sian explains, referring to the best-selling hair accessory, an acetate claw in the shape of a classic pint of stout. It’s currently sold out, but Dream Deli will be reopening preorders for the next drop in the coming weeks — keep an eye on its Instagram account for dates (@d.r.e.a.m.deli).​

Loaded Brownie, €4, Mud Bakery

Shane Murray’s bakery supplies several coffee shops around Dublin (see mudbakery.com) and sells at Glasnevin Food Market on Saturdays. His signature bake is the Loaded Brownie, a fudgey milk chocolate treat topped up with salted caramel and torched meringue.

A3 giclee print, €65, Poot Mendes

“I don’t know an awful lot about art but what I do know is that I’m a fan of his work and some of his prints are on proud display in my gaff,” Kevin says of Conor Hamill’s prints, sold via Instagram DM under the name Poot Mendes (@pootmendes). “Is it that the composition of his collages is so well-balanced and thoughtfully arranged? Is it his vibrant use of colour? Perhaps it’s just the fact that his art often features pics of ridey lads and bare arses…”

​Boot Transphobia badge, €2.95, In Rainbows

Based in Co Down, Alli McKee is a young trans artist who sells handmade badges, art prints, stickers and apparel, such as this boot collage showing solidarity with the trans community. In addition to his designs celebrating queer liberation, McKee’s works include striking lino cut prints of birds, and he offers a custom badge-making service, too.

Buy it here

Gránola, €8 for 500g, Daddy’s Cafe

“Daddy’s Cafe serves up the most divine comfort dishes made from seasonal and local Irish produce. Owner Colm [Keane] is absolutely sound and has created something really special. I always try to find time for a visit any time I’m there,” Kevin says of the Rialto eatery. “The French financiers are my favourite and are gorgeous with a cuppa.”

The cafe sells a number of items online, including Colombian coffee for nationwide delivery or its small-batch “gránola”, made with Flahavan’s organic oats, toasted pecans, seeds and sweet spices, for collection.

Get it here.

Mug, €24.50, Adonis Flower Designers

Sinead Crowe’s Dublin flower shop will be donating all proceeds from the sale of these lovely rainbow mugs to youth charity BelongTo. Each mug is hand-thrown and painted in Co Down, and they are available to buy individually or in pairs (€45).

Crowe has also created a delightful Pride bouquet of brightly coloured flowers (€60), and will donate 20pc of the sale price to BelongTo.