Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland’s LGBTQ Past

by Páraic Kerrigan

Marking fifty years of the founding of an LGBTQ rights movement in Ireland, Reeling in the Queers explores the lesser-known stories of the fight for LGBTQ rights since 1974, beyond decriminalisation and Marriage Equality. From 1990s boy bands to the AIDS priest, Fr Bernárd Lynch, from the Belfast Lesbian Line to proud parenting, from the earliest Pride events to the last days of Alternative Miss Ireland, fourteen distinct moments map the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland.

These stories, from across the island of Ireland – and further afield – celebrate a strong community and its allies, and speak across the generations. Together, they tell a new story of the gains, losses, devastation and community rising from the ashes of defeat. It is a hugely enjoyable and insightful read for both those who lived through this movement and for those who enjoy its benefits today.

Drawing from oral history as well as archives, Reeling in the Queers brings even more to life the great big queer tapestry in Ireland. Queer history in Ireland is Irish history and acknowledging and celebrating the light and the dark of it protects all of our futures as much as our pasts.

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland, LGBT, History, Queer, Irish Literature, Book Club

256 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2024

Reviews

[Ronan Cloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a book to start 2025 with !! forever grateful for those who blazed a trail for wee chaps like me

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of gay history and culture in the latter 20th century! It's not overly detailed - just like a typical episode of reeling in the years - but it's a great stepping point for someone like me who wouldn't know much about it. I learned loads about the activists that did so much for gay culture and acceptance in Ireland that has brought us to where we are today. Excellent read for the upcoming pride month, and a 4.5 from me! Delighted I have it ready to be front and centre on our pride table in work❤️
Thanks a mil to the guys at New Island for the advanced copy x

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun and educational!

[James Durkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reeling In The Queers / Páraic Kerrigan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

~ If your child approaches you and says, "I'm gay," I hope you realise that what they are asking is, "Will you still love me even though I'm gay?”… ~

This is exactly what was needed. While you hear of the major stories in the LGBTQ movement in Ireland, this was a great step in getting words from people who lived it, who knew it, who without this book may have just been glossed over.

While not perfect, Ireland has come a long way in recognising LGBTQ people and their culture.

Big shout out to Kerrigan, as a fellow UCD iSchool graduate also I know the amount of time and research that had to go into this to make it happen. Hopefully will be seeing more in the future.

Also, the last chapter in Miss Alternative Ireland brought back great memories of when I won Miss Alternative Maynooth in 2012. Her name is Peg, and someday she will return.

[Helen Corcoran]

I don’t rate non-fiction, but this is an informative, necessary history of ordinary Irish LGBT+ activism. A reminder of how far we’ve come and still have to go.

(The title is a pun on an Irish TV show called “Reeling In The Years”.)

[Dakota Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book in its simplicity. It doesn't overtly seek to look at the bigger picture but by focusing on people's stories, it reveals a bigger picture in a really nice way. As someone who knew very little about Irish queer history I now know a lot more.

[Janet Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marking fifty years of the founding of an LGBTQ rights movement in Ireland, Reeling in the Queers explores the lesser-known stories of the fight for LGBTQ rights since 1974, beyond decriminalisation and Marriage Equality. From 1990s boy bands to the AIDS priest, Fr Bernárd Lynch, from the Belfast Lesbian Line to proud parenting, from the earliest Pride events to the last days of Alternative Miss Ireland, fourteen distinct moments map the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland. These stories, from across the island of Ireland – and further afield – celebrate a strong community and its allies, and speak across the generations. Together, they tell a new story of the gains, losses, devastation and community rising from the ashes of defeat. It is a hugely enjoyable and insightful read for both those who lived through this movement and for those who enjoy its benefits today. Drawing from oral history as well as archives, Reeling in the Queers brings even more to life the great big queer tapestry in Ireland. Queer history in Ireland is Irish history and acknowledging and celebrating the light and the dark of it protects all of our futures as much as our pasts.

Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland's LGBTQ Past by Páraic Kerrigan is a must-read for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, Irish culture, and social justice, as it weaves together a rich tapestry of stories that celebrate the resilience and diversity of the queer community, its allies, and the struggles and triumphs that have shaped their lives.

This is a brilliant book, utterly fantastic and so enjoyable to read. Although it is a factual, non-fiction book, the stories were so enjoyable to read, almost like a fiction book. The stories were gripping, heart breaking, inspiring and wholesome. I loved learning about real Irish experiences from throughout the years, particularly Toni Burgess story, as a local Cobh woman like myself.

I recommend everyone to read this book and I cannot wait to meet Páraic Kerrigan this week at the Dubray Cork Pride Event to get even more insights from the man himself who did Trojan work creating this masterpiece.

[Carmel xoxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t my usual type of book, but since I’ve been doing training on sexual health promotion at work (which included the history of LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland), I knew I had to read it.

What makes this book special is how it blends history with personal stories, making it feel so real. It highlights the gap between legislation vs. culture—just because laws change doesn’t mean acceptance follows overnight. That really stuck with me.

The bravery and resilience of the people in this book blew me away. Many dedicated their time and energy to LGBTQ+ visibility, even running for office knowing they’d never be elected—just to make a statement. And the fact that Dublin’s first Pride march in 1974 had only 12 activists? Mind-blowing. By 1979, Ireland had its first Pride Week. I never realized how far back it all started.

Some moments that stood out to me:
✨ Dunnes Stores being transvestite-friendly, recommended by Judith Storm (what a legend!)
✨ The pink triangle—once a Nazi symbol marking 7,000-10,000 gay men in concentration camps—was later reclaimed by the Irish LGBTQ+ community before the rainbow flag.
✨ Fr. Bernárd, the AIDS priest, whose story was incredibly moving.
✨ Random but wild fact: Michael D. Higgins helped get HIV awareness ads aired on RTÉ!

I was absolutely enthralled by this book—I devoured it in two days! Highly recommend to anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history, activism, or just a damn good read. 💜

A huge thank you to to the author for sending me a signed copy—it made reading this even more special!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important piece of Irish history and an enjoyable read that taught me a lot I never knew I never knew about the LGBT history of Ireland, beyond just decriminalisation and marriage equality.

If I had one small criticism, there are a few jarring errors that an editor should have caught in the review process - the 1992 general election being cited as 1993, Section 28 being repealed in 2013 rather than the actual 2003, April Ashley supposedly being outed in the press in 1971 when it was actually 1961, are just some examples. These could be rather jarring at times and led to a certain doubt that other of the many really interesting details could always be fully trusted, but didn't really diminish from what was an important piece of popular cultural history

[Corah Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I bought it when I was in Cork, Ireland and read it as I travelled through Europe. It was good to pick up and put down. I struggle with non fiction in general but this was very interesting! Lots of stuff I didn’t know

[Ceara · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book! You learn so much from it and get a glimpse into parts of Irish LQBTQ+ society that you would have never before. Definitely would recommend to read!

[Katie Pruden]

#62

Bought this in Cork, easy and nice read!

[Saul Furones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excepcional book. Moving stories from people who drove changed.

[Kat Guiry · Rating 4 out of 5]

cited one of my lecturers 🙏

[Vonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I loved how thorough and inclusive this book was. At first, I was expecting it to be mainly about gay men — I was pleasantly surprised when lesbian and trans history was introduced. There’s so much queer history that broke my heart, but it also gave me hope that even in the darkest of times, we have each other’s backs. We have always been here, and we’re not going anywhere, no matter how much hatred and censorship is thrown our way. I recommend this to everyone who is interested in queer history.

[David Cowpar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great name for such a great book. I learned a lot and I’m really glad this book exists.

[Sanna-Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland's lgbtq Passed is sort of an anthology of the stories people that were involved in queer liberation movement during the years of 1974-2024 in Ireland. It takes a look for instance on how marital equality develops, what was Catholic church's relationship and attitude to HIV/AIDS patients and priests that are gay, it takes a look at transgender equality in Irish society and it gives us a grass root look on how lesbian and gay men were treated during the 50 year timeline.


It is a long period and there are many subjects that Kerrigan deals within this book and thus it is quite light on some of the subject matter. On the other hand it is extremely welcoming to see individual journeys during these years;  battling not only for themselves but for others in the queer community. We need books like this. Kerrigan has made it an easy read in under 200 pages and it is also very accessible in the sense that you really feel for what people went through and still are going through. It also is a great book to learn from actual stories on how grassroots movements eventually will change legislation and make the world a better place to live in.

[Amy Bryan]

this was such a great queer non fic !!

i really enjoyed how the wider history was integrated into the individual stories of the queer irish pioneers. it enabled there to be such a personal depth whilst still acknowledging all the surrounding context. there was also such a wide range of stories told, covering so much within 200 pages. it’s impossible to pick this up and not learn a single thing.


Reeling in the Queers is a small reminder of how far Ireland has come and how far is still left to go.

[Aoibhín Ní · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly, amazing.

firstly a thank you to the wonderful hannah for gifting me this book, it was truly a treasure to read and will proudly sit upon my shelves for many years to come.

i throughly enjoyed ‘reeling in the queers’, with kerrigan’s writing style blending academic scholarship with oral history and testimony to create an enjoyable reading experience for all.

[Shane Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Gives a create timeline and cultural context of Ireland through the 1970s and 80s. It really reminds one of the real reason for pride season and also the importance of documenting history. Sadly some of those interviewed have since passed.

[Amélie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describing itself as a patchwork of stories, Reeling in the Queers is indeed exactly that, and although I do have some qualms as to the organisation of said patchwork (why not a chronological structure?), it was a very good, informative and, yes, necessary read overall.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting collection of important stories and characters from Ireland's queer community over the years. I'm sure the author had loads more to tell from his research but this is a nice insight into a huge subject.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stuff. Well recommended

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0⭐️

[Rusty Cutlery · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright, if a bit boring at times. Definitely makes me want to look into certain events and people more, a good entry point to Ireland's queer history to be sure.

[Michael O'sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked the stories, didn't care much for the writing.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think about the actions of older queer people as a concept all the time so it was so nice to hear about these stories

[Niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating collection of stories, it's so important to learn about our history

[Sarah Tini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed all the snippets of queer life in Ireland.

[gráinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished this while crying because i got myself lost. i did actually enjoy it but i might revisit when i am less hysterical