Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst For Dublin Pride

Conchita Wurst, the bearded lady who swept the boards at this year’s Eurovision International Song Contest, will perform live at The George, in Dublin, on Friday 27th June, to celebrate this year’s Dublin Pride Festival. This will be Conchita’s first live performance in Ireland since her Eurovision victory.

“I’m really looking forward to performing at The George and being part of the Dublin Pride Festival,” Conchita told Hot Press. "I want to spread my message of tolerance, acceptance and respect for people who are different – I know my Irish supporters will help me do just that.”

Darragh Flynn of The George is understandably enthusiastic about the prospect of Conchita playing Dublin.

“Since her win at Eurovision, Conchita has become a worldwide sensation,” he said. “We are thrilled to have her perform again at the George and share in our Pride celebrations. Conchita embodies what The George is all about – acceptance, respect and fun – it’s going to be some party!”

As part of her performance at The George, Conchita will sing her winning Eurovision song ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’.

“‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ is a powerful song that makes a strong statement, one that I can support 100%. No matter how hard things are, you can learn from these times and grow,” Conchita added.

Tom Neuwirth, as Conchita is known in private, was born in 1988 in Gmunden in Upper Austria. The birth of Conchita can be traced back to Tom’s lifelong struggle against discrimination. In response, he created a woman with a beard, as a flamboyant statement – and as a catalyst to spark discussions on words like ‘different’ and ‘normal’. “Only the person counts,” says Tom/Conchita. “Everyone should be allowed to live their lives as they see fit, as long as nobody else suffers for it.”

The George has been a home from home for members of the LGBT community in Ireland for more than 25 years and has been host to an array of international acts including Alexandra Burke, Daniel Johnson, The Saturdays and Bananarama.

Hosted by Shirley Temple Bar, doors will open at 8pm and admission is €15.