My name is Jason Lalor and I chose to take part in a Cultural Project as part of my final year in the creative industries and visual culture at TUDublin. Having moved to Dublin from the Midlands, I found myself surrounded by so many people just like me, for the first time I felt connected to a community of queer creatives who had all found themselves in Dublin whether it be for studies or for work. From this I knew that I wanted my Cultural Project to exhibit these individuals, celebrate, and showcase their creative efforts.
PinkPortal at The Bernard Shaw, March 27th 2026
PinkPortal is a queer culture charity and nightlife event, designed to showcase the works of queer creatives in a space curated specifically for them. It was first hosted at The Bernard Shaw, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 on March 27th, 2026. The centerpiece of the event was its PinkPortal, a wooden model of the portal tomb in Poulnabrone, County Clare. The portal dolmen is an iconic and symbolic monument, left behind by ancient societies. Painting the portal pink is an act which demands its own representation and spreads a visual vibrancy across our heritage in a way that is celebratory. Through art, drag, and music the event created a space that provided a transformative experience outside of the everyday.
This structure stood as a collaborative mural, one which attendees could directly contribute to the creation of through pink and black spray paint. Contributions included “Protect our dolls” and “Beo Go Deo” [live forever]. The event was hosted by Kiki Cult, an alternative drag queen and trans-rights activist. Her work and efforts as a performer and spokesperson transcend politics and artistry, she is the embodiment of PinkPortal’s core and a key inspiration in its creation. The event featured a line-up of DJs; Human Resources, SHÜ, and Jenn Hession. Each showcased their talent on the decks in vastly different and irreplaceable ways.
The events fundraising efforts were entirely directed to ShoutOut, an LGBTQ+ charity organization which provides invaluable educational programmes within schools, workplaces and to service providers. Queer representation is something which should not only exist in the margin. The efforts of this charity and the work which they do is without a doubt deserving of PinkPortal’s praise and beneficiary.
