{"id":199289,"date":"2025-12-19T01:06:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T01:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/199289\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T01:06:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T01:06:13","slug":"a-look-inside-irelands-vibrant-bear-scene-gcn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/199289\/","title":{"rendered":"A look inside Ireland’s vibrant bear scene \u2022 GCN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, Ireland made global headlines<\/a> after it was revealed our little island has the highest density of bears worldwide.<\/p>\n

The straights were confused and animal activists concerned, but these doubts could quickly be put to bed once one took a second look at the research\u2019s source and the type of bears actually under discussion.<\/p>\n

This super scientific research was compiled by Grindr, and the bears in question were not grizzly, or panda or koalas, but actually members of the bear community \u2013 a group of gay men who are typically hairy, burly and proud.<\/p>\n

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To gain a better understanding of this community, we spoke with Neal O\u2019Hara, chair of Dublin Bears, and began by tracing the group\u2019s origins.<\/p>\n

\u201cDublin Bears is a social group that was set up back in 2010 after our first B\u00e9ar F\u00e9ile event,\u201d O\u2019Hara said. \u201cB\u00e9ar F\u00e9ile was established to address the need for events catering specifically to the bear community in Ireland. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bear scene in Ireland is certainly one of the most welcoming communities, with a strong emphasis on body positivity and welcoming new people. I attended my first bear event in 2023 and knew I wanted to become an active part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group are busy prepping for the biggest event of their social calendar: B\u00e9ar F\u00e9ile, which returns in March 2026. Running from Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, the festival will once again transform the capital into a hub of camaraderie, nightlife, and hairy fun.<\/p>\n

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The centrepiece of the festival \u2013 and its glorious conclusion \u2013 is the Mr Bear Ireland competition, which will be hosted by Panti Bliss. The winner will go on to represent Ireland at global bear events for the year ahead. You can get the full scoop on the packed festival right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The scene, O\u2019Hara reckons, has made leaps and bounds in recent years, both in terms of size and diversity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are now multiple bear events run throughout the year in Dublin and Belfast,\u201d O\u2019Hara said. \u201cThere are a lot of younger bears on the scene now, which is great to see. The bear community is also quite diverse now, with a lot of people from other nations living in Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n

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O\u2019Hara believes the bear scene serves a vital purpose in uniting members of the LGBTQ+ community with similar interests, though a number of misconceptions about the scene exist and need to be challenged.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people may think that our events are for big guys only, but you will see a wide variety of body types at our events,\u201d O\u2019Hara said. \u201cOne other great thing about the bear community is that there is also a wide age group involved, with guys in their 20s all the way up to 60s and beyond attending.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you fancy getting involved with Dublin Bears, you can contact them on Instagram @dublinbearsevents<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

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