Loafers Bar
 | |
| Address | Douglas Street, Cork, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Location | Cork |
| Coordinates | 51°53′36″N 8°28′12″W / 51.8934216°N 8.4700896°W |
| Owner | Derrick Gerety (founder), later Rena Blake, Ted O’Connell |
| Type | Gay bar |
| Opened | May 1983 |
| Closed | 2015 |
Loafers Bar (often referred to simply as Loafers) was a gay bar located on Douglas Street in Cork, Ireland. Opened in 1983, it became a significant cultural and social space for the LGBTQ+ community in Cork and is often cited as Ireland’s oldest gay bar.[1]
History
[edit]Loafers was opened in 1983 by Derrick Gerety and his partner Seamus Hogan. Though not initially intended to be a gay bar, it quickly became a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ people, especially during a time when homosexuality was still criminalised in Ireland (decriminalised in 1993).[1]
Under Gerety’s ownership, the bar became a hub for activism, arts, and social events. After 16 years, the bar was taken over by Rena Blake and later Ted O’Connell.[2]
Role in LGBTQ+ Community
[edit]Loafers became renowned for its inclusivity and community spirit. It hosted a range of cultural events and was a crucial support space for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. Women-only nights were a staple on Thursdays, providing space for lesbian and bisexual women.[3]
Closure
[edit]The bar closed in May 2015 under the ownership of Ted O’Connell, with economic and personal reasons cited for the decision. Its closure was widely mourned by the local LGBTQ+ community, who considered it a cornerstone of queer life in Cork.[4]
Legacy
[edit]The bar's legacy has been preserved in academic, artistic, and archival work. It is prominently featured in the 2023 documentary film Loafers, directed by Orla Egan, and in the Cork LGBT Archive.[5]
Loafers is remembered as a vital queer cultural institution, especially during a period when few such spaces existed in Ireland.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Loafers: Ireland's oldest queer bar". GCN.ie. 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Stories of Loafers Bar". Creative Ireland. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Loafers Bar, Cork". Cork LGBT Archive. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Site of historic Cork gay bar could become apartment block". Irish Independent. 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Cork LGBT Archive Blog". Digital Repository of Ireland. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Ireland's oldest gay bar for sale". Extra.ie. Retrieved 6 August 2025.