An exciting array of encounters with the arts is on offer at Tipperary festival

Step back into the 1980s with Clonmel Junction Arts Festival from this Friday July 4 with fun for everyone. Remember the Rubik Cube, the glamour of Dynasty, Atari and Sundays watching Clonmel man and cultural celebrity, Vincent Hanley, presenting on MT USA? A wealth of exhibitions as part of this year’s festival kicks off on Friday July 4with Conor McAnally opening the 1980s-themed exhibition, celebrating Clonmel’s very own Vincent Hanley at the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History.

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While across town the exhibition ‘Encounters with Failure’ at South Tipperary Arts Centre (STAC) curated by Helena Tobin explores failure (something we all experience), what it means to different people and how some artists use it, embrace it and actively seek it out. The festival will be launched at the exhibition opening at 6pm on Friday July 4 by the Mayor, Cllr Pat English.

Other exhibitions not to be missed during the festival are the Photography-Haiku Exhibition at Clonmel Library, opening on Monday July 7 featuring the work of Clonmel Camera Club following workshops with Haiku Master Sean O’Connor and photographer Kevin Lim, as well as an exhibition of architecture students’ project work from SETU depicting their plans and models for a new theatre in Clonmel.

The Main Guard is well worth a visit to see the work of Tipperary artists Annie Hogg, Marine Kearney and Shay Hurley in the ‘Encounters with the River Suir’ exhibition. The exhibition will open on Sunday July 6 at 3pm with a performance from the Suir Dragon Paddlers of their community poem written during their recent workshops with Eileen Acheson.

The opening weekend of the festival is packed full of encounters with the arts with a work in progress presentation, ‘Keeping Vigil’ on Friday July 4 in Baker’s Bar, the Vincent Hanley Summer School on Friday July 4, Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6 as well as Irish Modern Dance Theatre’s performance of ‘Hyperactive’ and concerts with Eamon O’Malley, the Banshee Brass Quintet and Irish National Opera rising stars in STAC Chapel.

Make sure to visit Kickham Plaza between 11am and 4pm on Saturday July 5 for a Family Fun Day sponsored by Abbott filled with music, entertainment, arts and crafts and performances from Sanita Circus. Watch out for some special visitors courtesy of the 100 Dogs Project.

Tipperary Music Generation will be showcasing the talent from their recent Rock Camp and Trad Camp along with powerful performances from Eamon O’Malley’s choir ‘Uproar’ and the all-male choir ‘Silvertones’ from Galway.
Call into ‘The Snug’ on Kickham Plaza from Saturday 5 to Wednesday 9 July, the real-life chat room, and take part in or listen to the conversations and captivating stories, with live music from Comhaltas and local musicians (see www.junctionfestival.com and social media for updates).

Denis Burke Park will host well-being events with yoga in the park and ‘The Illumination’ – an immersive family show that delves into the lives of strong women of our distant past – on Sunday July 6.

Film in IMC Cinema dominates Monday 7th July with TUS Student Animation Showcase and the Fionn MacCumhaill Players’ new short film ‘Bridget’. Don’t miss ‘Blue Road’ on Tuesday July 8 – a remarkable documentary portrait of Edna O’Brien – then head to STAC Chapel for Aoife Delany Reade’s work in progress presentation of ‘When All the World is Quiet’.

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Wednesday 9th July sees Crime Night return to the Junction (partnering with Tipperary Libraries) with Patricia Gibney in conversation with Stephanie Woods in STAC Chapel at 7pm. Light relief can be had in Baker’s Bar afterwards with the ‘queen of offbeat’ Áine Gallagher’s ‘For the Love of Milseáin’, her bilingual comedy show that promises to tickle the Irish out of you, even if you don’t have a word. Be sure to say ‘dia duit’ to Áine and to visit the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s website for the full listing of events: www.junctionfestival.com.

Encounter the arts from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 13 at Clonmel Junction Arts Festival 2025 – there’s something for everyone.