VIDEO/PHOTOS: Former Fianna Fáil Minister Leads Kerry Pride Parade

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Participants in the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Participants in the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE weather stayed fine on Saturday as the Kerry Festival Of Pride Parade made its way through town.

Former Government Minister, Pat Carey from Castlemaine, was  the Grand Marshal for the event which attracted a colourful bunch of people from all over the county and beyond.

It was all part of a week-long series of events celebrating diversity within Kerry.

The parade made its way from the Brandon car park down through the centre of the town and up to the Ashe Memorial Hall.

Pat Carey, who was a former Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2010 to 2011 in the Fianna Fail/Green Party Government, said the day was a very special one for him.

“It’s a big day for me because it’s the first day I’ve been back in Kerry since I came out over the Valentine’s weekend,” said Pat, who is now a public affairs consultant based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath.

“I’m looking across to the Brandon Hotel where I had a misspent youth and I remember I had my first crush on a guy in the Ashe Memorial Hall. There’s a great turnout of people here who are deeply committed and we’re all working for a victory in the referendum next weekend,” said Pat.

I asked him did he ever imagine all those years ago that he would one day be leading a gay pride parade in Tralee.

“Well we didn’t have these things for a start. We might have had a fancy dress parade, that was as near as we got to expressing our artistic side. But it’s great to see people of all persuasions here, not just gay people. On our own, we’re not going to win this referendum. We need to have the support of our straight friends and colleagues as well,” he said.

Scroll down for video and photos…

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Grand Marshal Pat Carey leading the way at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Grand Marshal Pat Carey leading the way at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

 at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Claire Hurley, Sophie McKeown and Gabby July at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

In front; Oisin Lawlor with Lily and Paula O'Sullivan, Adeline Fahey and Sinead O'Sullivan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

In front; Oisin Lawlor with Lily and Paula O’Sullivan, Adeline Fahey and Sinead O’Sullivan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Participants making their way down The Mall during the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Participants making their way down The Mall during the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Billy Keane and Pat Carey at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Billy Keane and Pat Carey at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Steven Horan, Ivel Thoppilan, Ailish O'Rourke from SPIN 103FM, Issa Olwengo, Liam Cronin and Lauren Guilfoyle from SPIN 103FM  at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Steven Horan, Ivel Thoppilan, Ailish O’Rourke from SPIN 103FM, Issa Olwengo, Liam Cronin and Lauren Guilfoyle from SPIN 103FM at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Ted Moynihan and Maria McCarthy of Samba Cuisle at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Ted Moynihan and Maria McCarthy of Samba Cuisle at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Claire Looney, Thomas Carew and Colleen Sparling O'Riordan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Claire Looney, Thomas Carew and Colleen Sparling O’Riordan at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Laura and Kayleigh Smith and Catriona McCaughley at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

Laura and Kayleigh Smith and Catriona McCaughley at the Kerry Festival of Pride parade on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

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