Ireland’s top LGBT+ rugby club launch drag 'World Cup' fundraiser

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"We have nine fierce drag queens taking to the stage to take home the crown."

In May, the Emerald Warriors will send four teams to Rome, Italy to take part in The Bingham Cup - an international gay rugby union tournament that has been taking place since 2001. To raise funds for the bi-annual event, a popular fundraiser is returning to The George.

Emerald Warriors Rugby Football Club (EWRFC) have announced the return of its ‘Queen of the Warriors’ fundraiser. It will be held at The George, in Dublin, from 4:30 to 8pm on Sunday, 7 April, with support from Guinness.

“We have nine fierce drag queens taking to the stage to take home the crown,” Emerald Warriors secretary Graham Kelly said, speaking about the event which he is co-leading.

“There will be a voting system in place so that people can vote for their favourite queens. Then the top two will lip-sync for the win. We will also have our first ever drag king performance with a group act from our womens+ team, the Azures, at half-time.”

Emerald Warriors sending big contingent to Bingham Cup

After an inaugural event in May 2001, The Bingham Cup has been running every second year since 2002. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has only been one staging of the rugby tournament since 2018, hosted by Ottawa in 2022.

Emerald Warriors president Richie Fagan commented, "Four teams will represent the Emerald Warriors in Rome, with three men+ teams and our women+ team. With an estimated 125 people travelling on 22 May to represent our club which will be one of the top five contingents in attendance.
"This marks another milestone as we work to deliver on our strategy vision to be the leading inclusive club, not only in Ireland, but in the world, leading by example.”

On the Queen of the Warriors event, Fagan said, "This is the largest social event and fundraiser in the club's calendar which always offers an incredible night. Queen of the Warriors is popular with non-members too as the standard for the drag performances never disappoint with players trading in their rugby boots for high heels to compete.

"Last year was a record breaking event but this year we’ve an ambitious target of €30,000 to support our club competing at The Bingham Cup which is expected to see over 140 participating teams and around 10,000 athletes, coaches and supporters travel to Rome to compete."

Tickets are only €25 and include a free beverage. You can book them HERE.

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