Studio+ student’s artwork wraps Dublin Fire Brigade vehicles for Dublin Pride Parade
Studio+ TAA student August Parish’s winning design featured on Dublin Fire Brigade vehicles during this year’s Dublin Pride Parade
Dublin, July 1, 2025
A new collaboration between Studio+ at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin Fire Brigade, and Dublin Pride has brought student creativity to the heart of this year’s Pride celebrations. Studio+ TAA student August Parish was selected as the winner of the Dublin Fire Brigade & Dublin Pride Parade artwork competition, with their design featured on both a fire engine and an ambulance during the Dublin Pride Parade on June 29th. The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act in Ireland.
Celebrating diversity and creativity
The special EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) vehicle wrap project aimed to highlight the intersection of art, public service, and LGBTQ+ visibility. Each year, Dublin Fire Brigade supports the LGBTQ+ community by wrapping vehicles in Pride colours and participating in the parade, but this year’s collaboration with NCAD added a new creative dimension.
Greg O’Dwyer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Dublin Fire Brigade, commented on the partnership:
“Each year, Dublin Fire Brigade is proud to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community by wrapping some of our vehicles in the Pride colours and taking part in the Dublin Pride parade. We aim to create a new theme for our Pride wraps annually, which always generates great public interest on social media.
When we were approached by the National College of Art and Design, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate on something truly special this year—and NCAD Studio+ student August Parish’s creative work certainly didn’t disappoint.
We believe the thought and effort August put into his designs beautifully capture both the proud history of the Dublin Fire Brigade and our celebration of Pride. We’ve been wrapping our vehicles for Pride Month for several years now, and August’s design is definitely our favourite to date.”
Reflecting on the project, August Parish said:
‘My Studio+ lecturers encouraged me to submit a proposal for the Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin Pride Parade artwork competition—and I was thrilled to be selected as the winning artist. Although I study Textiles and don’t have a discipline-specific background in Graphic Design, I saw this as a great opportunity to push myself creatively and build my digital skills, especially through collaboration with the Dublin Pride art department.
As someone in the Queer community, this project meant a lot to me. It was a chance to mark a huge milestone—the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Referendum—while also offering hope and visibility at a time when hate crimes and discrimination are sadly on the rise again. I drew inspiration from firefighter uniforms, focusing on crests and badges, and used a rainbow gradient aura instead of a traditional Pride flag to create something textured, bold, and inclusive.
Working with Studio+ staff, Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin Pride was an incredible learning curve. I had to adapt and refine my design through rounds of feedback and committee reviews, which really helped build my confidence and professionalism. Seeing my work on a fire engine and ambulance during the parade was completely surreal—and the public reaction, both positive and critical, reminded me just how powerful and necessary visibility still is.’
Dean O’Reilly, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion + Sexual Violence Prevention / Response Manager at NCAD, added:
“Dublin Pride 2025 marks a historic moment - not only as the tenth anniversary of Marriage Equality and the Gender Recognition Act, but also as an act of defiance in a society where Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are increasingly under threat and where our trans community are increasingly victimised.
LGBTQ+ artists and designers have shaped and enriched our sector for generations; within the walls of NCAD and far beyond. As an institution, our vision is to change the world through bold, curious thinking, making, and doing. This collaboration with Dublin Fire Brigade exemplifies that commitment. August’s work demonstrates the strength of solidarity and the vital role that art and design play in fostering social cohesion - the ability to communicate an idea, care, and openness. We are proud to work with Dublin Fire Brigade on this partnership project and to support Pride this year and every year.’
The project stands as a testament to the power of creative collaboration in celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion. Congratulations to August Parish, and thank you to all partners who made this initiative possible.
#Pride2025 #DublinPride