Paul Ryder: On Pride, Dublin and Irish LGBT Culture

2019. In Dublin, drag has never been bigger. The cultural phenomenon that is RuPaul’s Drag Race has officially taken over the world, with a new UK edition on the way. In the slipstream of that cultural coup, here in Dublin, a drag performer from Tallaght has become a household name after his show-stopping appearance on last year’s Ireland’s Got Talent. Paul Ryder embraces a marvellously convincing androgynous look with no wig or padding. His act brought an entirely unique personal aesthetic into households across the country.

“I do drag a little bit differently,” Paul smiles, “so even though I was accepted, I really had to work and fight for my place. Everyone expects drag to be all about glamorous high hair. But the biggest message I took away from Ireland’s Got Talent was Michelle Visage saying, ‘Drag is everything’. That is such a great message. Drag’s not just what you might have expected it to be – it can be any kind of performance art that you want. I’ve met kids and adults since, who’ve told me that I changed their perspective on things by going on that show, and showing that drag can be different.”

Of course, Paul had been grinding away long before the show kicked off, working in every aspect of showbiz from choreography to pantomimes – and aiming for the stars.

“I started out choreographing for drag queens in Dublin,” he recalls. “I was working with the likes of Davina Devine and Shirley Temple Bar – who I had obviously looked up to for years. One night I was working on Veda Beaux Reves’ show, Space ‘N Veda, and a performer dropped out. They knew I was a dancer and a singer, so they told me to get up and do a number. So I did – and it was great!

“But, I knew instinctively I couldn’t really keep the LGBTQ crowd entertained if I didn’t do something a little bit different. So I said to myself, ‘If you can’t beat the drag queens, join them - but still keep your own vibe!’. Since then, I’ve just kept pushing and working. Everyone assumes I’m so busy now after Ireland’s Got Talent – but, honestly, I’ve been busy for the last 10 years!”

Paul’s career has included a stellar show of his own, The Ringmaster’s Drag Race, as well as tours with numerous world-class drag acts. A video of his performance of RuPaul’s ‘Sissy That Walk’ at Dublin Pride 2017 was even shared by the original Drag Race host himself. Heady days indeed!

Stephen Quinn, aka Stefan Fae, of Spicebag - one of Dublins greatest and most gloriously influential LGBTQ nights

“Before RuPaul’s Drag Race became so mainstream, we were booking those contestants for years in events all over Dublin. They were packed with purely LGBTQ crowds,” he recalls. “Now, because it’s become such a phenomenon, the crowd’s filled with your next-door neighbour’s postman’s daughters! People just want to be part of it (laughs). The message at the heart of it is that everybody can be who they want to be, and do what they want to do in life – and, increasingly, people love that. The weird freaks and geeks of this world aren’t weird freaks and geeks anymore. We’re all part of this giant community, and now we’re seeing more gay and trans issues entering the wider universe.”

Which is to be celebrated by anyone with a smidgeon of decency about them! Of course, the sense of inclusivity around Dublin now is down to more than just RuPaul.

“Something lifted in the air that day in May 2015,” Paul says of the historic marriage equality referendum victory. “And we’re becoming more of a diverse country all the time. I genuinely think that it’s built into us, as Irish people, to be accepting of each other. We’re a creative nation and we’re absolutely, definitely, a supportive nation.” s

Since then, Dublin has emerged as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Fascinatingly also, Dublin’s social scene is increasingly becoming a thriving melting pot for people from both gay and straight backgrounds. Nowhere is this more evident than at this August’s inaugural Love Sensation (lovesensation.ie, August 17-18) festival in Kilmainham – a landmark music event for the LGBTQ community and their friends.

“I’m so excited to be involved with Love Sensation,” Paul grins. “When the idea came about, I thought it was incredible. You’ve got the likes of Kelis, Clean Bandit, Lily Allen, a shed-load of drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and then all of us homegrown queens as well! I know that people are going to come from all over the world to see this. It’s really crossed over into the mainstream, and it’s such a positive thing to see in our city.”

Of course, the need for safe spaces for people in the LGBTQ+ community remains crucial across the capital, and Pride is still a hugely significant event on the calendar. – with Paul taking the reigns as host of Dublin Pride’s main stage.

“Pride isn’t just about taking to the streets and partying – it’s a protest,” Paul says. “We’re still protesting for a lot of rights. Tonie Walsh’s walking tour of the LGBTQ history of Dublin is one of the most iconic things on the Pride calendar. It’s so important to inform yourself, and make that Pride energy a part of your everyday life, all year round.”

And with unique nights and clubs, with an LGBTQ+ twist thriving across the capital, Paul reckons Dublin’s queer community are expressing themselves more vibrantly than ever.

“So many of the younger queens are out there putting on their own nights, to give a bigger space to the community and to introduce more variety,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re a bunch of mad creatives who just want to show you what we can do – and that’s what makes gay Dublin so special.”

Paul's Top Drag Nights

I’ve been part of The George (21 South Great George’s St, thegeorge.ie) family since I came out when I was a teenager. It’s a place where you know you’re going to have a great night, and you know you’re going to be safe to enjoy yourself. You’ve got a different drag show every night. I’m a big fan of Witchy Wednesdays (weekly from 11pm) there, hosted by Veda Beaux Reves. She has so many different queens on, and there’s really a space for everybody.

• You can’t bypass The George’s Sunday Bingo (weekly from 10pm) with Shirley Temple Bar. It’s been a staple in this community for over 20 years, and she’s still bringing so much energy and entertainment. People come to Dublin knowing that they have to go see the Bingo.

• I’m so proud to be bringing back my annual Ringmaster’s Drag Race (facebook.com/RingmastersDragRace) for a tenth year next year. We give a platform to the younger generation of drag queens, and let them show an audience of 300 people what they’re made of. The energy this year was unbelievable, and next year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. We’re aiming to bring it to five locations, and then back to Dublin for the final. It’s a madcap night, and everyone walks away absolutely loving it.