New LGBTQ+ Youth Space Opens in Dublin 

Today, (18.06.2026) Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland has officially opened the doors to a vibrant new youth space right in the heart of Dublin city centre. Co-designed from top to bottom by young people, for young people, it offers a warm, creative, and joyful environment where LGBTQ+ youth can connect, find community, and thrive. 

The newly developed space is the result of a collaborative process with young people who attend the organisation’s services. From the initial mood boards to the finishing touches, young people who use Belong To’s services played a central role in shaping the environment – ensuring every corner reflects their real needs, interests, and personalities. 

The space will host the charity’s range of youth groups for LGBTQ+ young people from 14 to 23 years old, as well as a welcoming drop-in service and crisis counselling sessions in partnership with Pieta.  

Youth-Led Design  

A dedicated youth committee worked over several months to transform the space. Features include:  

• A striking, custom-designed mural created in partnership with professional artist Emma Hurson, inspired by young people’s input and painted with them;  

• Large interactive touchscreen for workshops and digital creativity; 

• Comfortable seating areas designed for everything from quiet chats to big group gaming sessions;  

• Dedicated space for a variety of creative activities from jewellery-making to Dungeons & Dragons; and  

• Fully stocked kitchen at the heart of the space, where young people can hang out, make a cup of tea, and catch up. 

Commenting on the launch, Kieran O’Donovan (he/him), CEO at Belong To said: “This space shows what can happen when young people are given a real voice. It’s a place where LGBTQ+ young people can feel safe, seen and supported – whether they’re coming in to meet friends at a drop-in group or accessing more structured supports like our crisis counselling service.  

“This project has been a response to the strong demand for safe, inclusive environments for young people, and we’re so excited that we can now open the doors to LGBTQ+ young people. This space is a great addition to our national services provided online and the National Network of LGBTQ+ youth services across the country. LGBTQ+ youth now have their own dedicated space in Dublin city centre – a hub for building confidence, community and wellbeing.” 

This new space marks a major milestone for youth-led, inclusive infrastructure in Dublin – ensuring the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth have a visible, welcoming place where they truly belong. 

Anyone interested in joining any of the youth groups can find details and contact forms at: https://www.belongto.org/support-for-me/support-services/belongto-youthgroups/