David Monaghan

David Monaghan is a journalist, critic, editor and radio host who writes about arts, culture, Film, tech, mental health, and LGBTQ+ and community issues for HeadStuff, GCN, Dublin Inquirer, Business & Finance, the Irish Independent, the Irish Examiner, the Nationalist, and others.

They are a two-time arts graduate, having completed a BA International in English with Film, and an MA in Film Studies. In 2017, they were shortlisted for 'Journalist of the Year' at the National Student Media Awards in Ireland. Their work as Film & TV co-editor of HeadStuff was recognised with a win for 'Best Film/TV Blog' at the 2017 Blog Awards.

David is also a frequent writer of short fiction and one third of the queer theatre collective 'Rock Bottom Saloon'. The group has produced work for the Scene + Heard Festival of New Work and Wilde Stages, Dublin's queer theatre festival.

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GCN • 26th July 2024

Amazing LGBTQ+ songs to add to your summer playlist

GCN article on LGBTQ+ artists to add to your playlist of favourite songs, from Pride pop anthems to glitchy upbeat tracks. Features music by Chapel Lizard.

Listen to Chapel Lizard

Stream 'Summer Sun', 'Doomsday Clock' and 'Ghost' by Chapel Lizard. Chapel Lizard is the music project of queer writer, editor and journalist David Monaghan. Inspired by shoegaze, dream pop and post-punk, Chapel Lizard's music contains soaring, ethereal guitars, rich, bassy synths and introspective lyricism.

GCN • 13th October 2020

Irish pop star Jack Rua opens up about new music and intimacy in isolation

With the world on stand-still, many are feeling lonely, isolated, and frustrated. Jack Rua has channelled this energy into his music with new song, ‘Isolation.’

GCN • 15th April 2020

“I had a conversation with a f**king crow”: LGBT+ performers on how the lockdown has impacted them

“I had a conversation with a fucking crow, man.” Wallis Bird is one of the LGBT+ performers and artists telling me about the impact the Covid-19 lockdown has had on their life.

GCN • 8th January 2020

Remembering The Dragon - one of Dublin's most iconic queer venues

Located on 64 South Great George’s Street, The Dragon was one of two dedicated queer nightclubs in Dublin until its closure in 2015. It was youth-focused and, at times, chaotic – mainly due to the club’s unusual layout.

GCN • 21st May 2019

Irish queer festival 'Love Sensation' announces new additions to line-up

Love Sensation, a brand new queer festival, takes place on August 17 and 18, 2019, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. It is the brainchild of Mother founder and club night veteran Cormac Cashman, who today announced new additions to the eclectic line-up.

GCN • 15th May 2019

WATCH: Palestinian activists urge Madonna to boycott Eurovision in ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ parody

Palestinian activist Shahd Abusalama partnered with London Palestine Action on Monday to release a 2-minute parody of ‘Papa Don’t Preach’, urging Madonna to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest. This is another of many calls to boycott the Eurovision, held this year in Tel Aviv, Israel.

HeadStuff • 22nd September 2016

Friends, Family and Folk Music | An Interview with Real Boy Director Shaleece Haas

Real Boy, Shaleece Haas’ documentary about a young trans musician, is sweet and occasionally hard-hitting, offering viewers a multifaceted coming-of-age narrative that never succumbs to sensationalism. Speaking to me after what must have been an exhausting post-screening question-and-answer session, Haas explains her aims in making such a film and how she hopes to reach audiences with its narrative.

HeadStuff • 6th September 2016

Film Review | The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Offers Valuable Insight into an Influential Band

The 1960s was a period of simultaneous excitement and unease, and this is the climate director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon) hopes to capture in The Beatles: Eight Days a Week. It is a film that looks at the band’s touring years of 1963 to 1966 and the ‘Beatlemania’ they inspired.