Carrick-on-Suir celebrated the Clancy Brothers' rich musical legacy in style
The 19th Clancy Brothers Music & Arts Festival took place in Carrick-on-Suir between Wednesday, May 27 and Monday, June 1
The 19th annual Clancy Brothers Music & Arts Festival brought a feast of music, drama and community events to Carrick-on-Suir, hometown of the famous folk group after whom the June Bank Holiday Weekend celebration is named after.
Clancy Brothers Festival Chairman Walter Dunphy said the organising committee was delighted with the public turnout for all the festival's concerts and cultural events while the good weather over the weekend meant the festival's outdoor community programme was also a huge success.
He reported that all the festival concerts at Brewery Lane Theatre were sold out. They included the opening night show featuring performances from a range of local singers and musicians, the Clancy Family concert the following night and the festival's closing concert by renowned folk singer and songwriter Luka Bloom on Sunday night.
Brewery Lane Drama Group's lunchtime one-act play, a production of Lady Gregory's Spreading The News, directed by Jacquie Ahern, was also a sell-out over the three days of its run from Friday to Sunday.
There was also a big turnout at the Strand Theatre last Friday for the Festival's headline show starring The Highstool Prophets, who won the Best Folk Band at the 2025 Irish Entertainment Awards.
The concert was followed by a music and singing session led by members of Carrick Musical Society in the theatre's Christy's Bar.
The Old Mill Pub on New Street attracted a large crowd for the annual Eoghan Power Memorial Folk Singing Contest last Thursday night. Nine entrants took part in the contest, which was won by Amanda Greene.
Another musical highlight was the Sionnach concert at the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre featuring performances from Martin Murray, Paul Grant, Mick Forristal and Tommy Keane.
The festival's Family Fun Day at the Fairgreen Car Park on Sunday was blessed with ideal warm and sunny weather. It featured an impressive display of dancing from members of the DR2 Dance Group and plenty of entertainment for children including bouncy castles, face painting, a mobile animal farm and demonstrations by Tipperary Fire Service personnel.
Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club’s Blueway Walk from Sean Healy Park to Dovehill on Sunday morning attracted a large crowd. The walkers ended their trek with a slap-up breakfast in Dove Hill Design Centre. The festival concluded on Monday with a group cycle along the River Suir from Carrick’s Ormond Castle to Kilsheelan.
Check out photos from the festival in this week’s edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.