The sunshine over the last few days might have finally convinced us that there is still potential for an Irish summer. You might just be waking up the possibilities of a seasonal shift, but hundreds of volunteers, organisers and banner wavers all over the country are waaaaay ahead of you.

On Friday, 21st June, 2013, Ireland’s Queen of Gay Bars, The George Bar and Nightclub, will host a party like no other in celebration of Dublin Pride’s 30th Birthday and the launch of the 2013 festival.

Lush have joined forces with Marriage Equality and Dublin Pride to bring a sweet smell of success to the campaign for marriage equality. Lush are putting their fragrant stamp on the Marriage Equality Out to Your TD Campaign and donating from the sale of selected products to both Marriage Equality and Dublin Pride.

Here we are to give you a gansey-load of notice to get signed-up and ready for the Pride Run on 21st June. It doesn’t matter if you’re Usain Bolt or a snail with issues, this is all about fun. You can walk, jog, run or crawl the 5km.

Three acts competed in an Xfactor style competition to get to the finals where a winner would be picked to grace the Pride Village stage after the parade later this year. Unfortunately, the same stereotypes were on show.

Now that we’ve all recovered from the excitement of Dublin Pride, we recap the festivities through the medium of … puppies! Let us know how your Pride went – Was it your first Pride? Or are you a veteran? How did you adjust to the new surrounds of the post-Pride fun at Merrion Square? Where did you end up later? Tell all in the comments!

Hot on the heels of Minister Shatter’s statement on Thursday, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made a historic statement this afternoon, calling marriage equality “the civil rights issue of this generation, and, in my opinion, its time has come”. Listen and read to the speech here.

Celebrate Dublin Pride with Outhouse and a glass of Champers on the morning of Pride Parade Day! There’ll be delicious freshly baked goods from Brother Hubbard, along with teas, coffee and snacks. Oh, and of course: Champagne & Mimosas just €4 per glass! Get it int’ya Cinthia..

We’ve asked for your Pride Pics, and you’ve delivered! You can submit them to us by email, twitter or facebook – whichever’s easiest. Here’s the latest batch!

The Dublin Pink Hockey Fest is less than 48 hours away! The programme includes a cocktail reception party, a pitch-side BBQ, a traditional Irish pub night (especially for the visiting players), and of course the tournament’s award ceremony. Keep an eye out for jolly hockey sticks at Saturday’s Pride parade!

Good morning, proud people! Tis the season, and we’re all praying to the weather godess, Jean Byrne, that the rain stays away this Saturday. Here’s what’s been happening while the Pride build-up has been under way!

G-Force, the Garda LGBT Employee Support Network, on behalf of the European Gay Police Association, hosts the 6th European Gay Police Association Conference this Thursday and Friday in Dublin Castle. Conference delegates will join the Dublin Pride parade on Saturday.

Last week, we put the call out for your Pride Pics: basically anything with rainbow/pride flag colours. You can submit them to us by email, twitter or facebook – whichever’s easiest. Get those snaps to us! In the meantime, here are some examples for ya.

There has been some confusion over the past 24 hours about the venue of the Dublin Pride Run. The good folks at Dublin Frontrunners who are doing the organising have confirmed that the venue has not changed, and the run will still take place in the Phoenix Park.

It’s Pride season, and we’re asking YOU to send us in your photos of Pride flags. These can be actual flags, or cars/people/accessories/pets (within reason!) – or whatever Pride-themed, rainbow coloured objects that you spy. So, whether you’re in Bray or The Banner, Gweedore or Gorey, Coleraine or Crookhaven, Arklow or Achill – get them in to us!

The theme of this year’s pride is Show Your True Colours, which is a pretty great theme for pride. Showing your true colours is what pride is all about after all- being our magnificent technicolour queer selves! The pride committee have put together a wonderful programme of events for the festival, a small selection of which I’ve outlined here.

And there are just hours left to sign up for the inaugural 5k Dublin Pride Run, which takes place on Friday 22nd June at 7:30pm in the Phoenix Park! The event is a summer fun run and open to all, whether you are a seasoned runner, or someone who just wants to head along for a jog.