Foyle Pride launch and 2020 awards

Derry’s Foyle Pride festival was officially launched at the weekend, while the winners of the annual Foyle Pride Awards have also been announced.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 25th Aug 2020, 08:35 BST
Pictured at the launch of the Foyle Pride 2020 Festival ‘Sign of the Times’ flag at Free Derry Wall, on Saturday afternoon last, are Paul Gillespie, Shá Gillespie, Foyle Pride committee member, Jim Doherty, Chairperson, Martin McConnellogue, committee member, Christina Robson and Dalila. The flag was designed by Caroline Devenney and funded by DCSDC. DER2034GS - 038Pictured at the launch of the Foyle Pride 2020 Festival ‘Sign of the Times’ flag at Free Derry Wall, on Saturday afternoon last, are Paul Gillespie, Shá Gillespie, Foyle Pride committee member, Jim Doherty, Chairperson, Martin McConnellogue, committee member, Christina Robson and Dalila. The flag was designed by Caroline Devenney and funded by DCSDC. DER2034GS - 038
Pictured at the launch of the Foyle Pride 2020 Festival ‘Sign of the Times’ flag at Free Derry Wall, on Saturday afternoon last, are Paul Gillespie, Shá Gillespie, Foyle Pride committee member, Jim Doherty, Chairperson, Martin McConnellogue, committee member, Christina Robson and Dalila. The flag was designed by Caroline Devenney and funded by DCSDC. DER2034GS - 038

The festival, which has moved online this year to keep everyone safe, was launched at Free Derry Corner on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, the winners of the various awards were announced, with the Mayor of Derry & Strabane Brian Tierney, who presided at the socially distanced ceremony outdoors, stating afterwards:

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“It was an honour to attend the Foyle Pride awards. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we won’t see the Pride Festival that we have become used to over many years. I’ve been working with the Pride committee over the last number of weeks and they have a packed socially distant programme of events over the next week.”

From left: Eimear Willis (Helen Harris Award), James Mc Goldrick (Terry Mc Cartney Award), Micky Doherty (Mark Ashton Award), Mayor Brian Tierney, Eisa Morgan (Sean Morrin Award), and Philip Baxendale (Trans Award).From left: Eimear Willis (Helen Harris Award), James Mc Goldrick (Terry Mc Cartney Award), Micky Doherty (Mark Ashton Award), Mayor Brian Tierney, Eisa Morgan (Sean Morrin Award), and Philip Baxendale (Trans Award).
From left: Eimear Willis (Helen Harris Award), James Mc Goldrick (Terry Mc Cartney Award), Micky Doherty (Mark Ashton Award), Mayor Brian Tierney, Eisa Morgan (Sean Morrin Award), and Philip Baxendale (Trans Award).

The award winners were as follows: Eimear Willis – winner of the Helen Harris Award for Activism; Micky Doherty – winner of the Mark Ashton Award for Outstanding Contribution to the LGBTQ+ community; James Mc Goldrick – winner of the Terry Mc Cartney Award for Social Awareness; Philip Baxendale – winner of the Trans Award for Contribution to Community Awareness; and Eisa Morgan – winner of the Sean Morrin Young Person’s Award.

In a statement Foyle Pride said: “The outstanding contribution made by these people to our community and wider society is unmeasurable and priceless. We are truly thankful for their actions and commitment to making the lives of others better. We want to thank our Mayor, Councillor Brian Tierney for his support with Foyle Pride Festival 2020 and for presenting this year’s awards. Also, to Helen Quigley from The Inner City Trust who provided us with the beautiful venue for last nights presentation, and Alpha Stained Glass for making the beautiful awards. Thank you. ️‍

“We want to say a special thank you to everyone who sent us in a nomination, and although we only have five categories and can only have five winners, every person that was nominated are winners in our eyes. We now look forward to next years awards.”

To find out what’s on at the festival see the Foyle Pride Facebook page at www.facebook.com/foylepride/

Related topics:Brian TierneyDerryMayor