Your Host, Tonie Walsh
Archivist, activist, writer and historian, Tonie Walsh has had a long engagement with Ireland's LGBT civil rights movement, stretching back to 1979. He also has a huge knowledge of Dublin's queer social history, having spent many years working as a DJ and events promoter.
Tonie is a co-founder of GCN magazine, which he edited during its early, pioneering years.
In 1997, he re-organised archive holdings of various groups including the National LGBT Federation into what would later become known as the Irish Queer Archive (IQA). The archive was transferred to state ownership at the National Library of Ireland in 2008.
Throughout 2021, he co-curated the ambitious Living With Pride programme at the National Library of Ireland. More recently, he's been involved with the digitisation of GCN, Ireland's oldest LGBTQ+ periodical.
Praise for Lavender Walk
There was a lovely pace to the walk and Tonie is very giving in his stories. It didn't feel fixed and structured. Albert
Tonie is a remarkable storyteller; we were capitvated. What a great experience to understand both the history of Ireland and the history of the LGBTQ community - and how the two are indelibly intertwined. I could have listened all day and loved his company. Bianca
Would highly recommend this. He was enthusiastic, humourous, informative but very emotional when telling true stories about real people who passionately tried to change laws and atttitudes. Tonie also had huge knowledge about architecture and Ireland's history in general. Tom & Debbie
