Business and organisations support unique Tipperary music festival

It’s only year three for the ever-developing Clonmel music festival, with this year’s highly anticipated event just within view, on June 1st and 2nd. Take this is as your friendly reminder to get your tickets! When Next We Meet was started by two local artists and musicians, Eoin Hally and Kate Twohig, with the support of business man David Anchell, his company Camida, as well as the county’s premier arts festival, Clonmel Junction Festival.

The story however goes back further, beginning in 2013. Twohig and Hally were two of three young emerging artists who were selected to be part of ‘We Can Be Heroes’, a Clonmel Junction Festival initiative. This project which also included singer-songwriter Ruairí de Leastar, saw Clonmel’s young emerging acts play as the house-band to nationally celebrated artists. Jack L, Jerry Fish, Paul Walsh of Royseven and more performed live in Gordon Street carpark under the skilful guidance of music director and rocker Gavin Glass. “I think I was 21 at the time of We Can Be Heroes - and very, very green”, Kate Twohig ,festival co-director. “Eoin had more playing experience, with international gigs and Irish tours but I was bright eyed at the whole experience.

It afforded me opportunities as a young artist and exposed me to what was possible, beyond playing covers at local bars.” That particular formative experience sparked the drive in both Twohig and Hally, now in their 30’s, to create a platform for local artists to play their music authentically on a stage with some of Ireland’s top live acts.

2022 saw the launch of When Next We Meet as a fringe event of the Clonmel Junction Arts festival, who supported the team in many ways and continues to do so. The festival’s first year saw audience members trickle in under mood-grey skies. Soda Blonde, John Francis Flynn and Seba Safe performed to a small audience of just over 200 people in the magic of the walled garden. HousePlants, Elaine Mai & MayKay and Vale performed to a bigger crowed under bluer skies and the full potential of a boutique festival on the grounds of Raheen House were realised. Vale, who is Eoin Hally, went on to tour with HousePlants that winter while local artist Eve Whelan was given performance opportunities with Seba Safe later that year.
Last summer’s festival saw Lisa Hannigan, Niamh Regan, Talos and Daithí all perform live, along with an improved but not-quite-right-yet local artists stage.

This summer however, thanks to funding from the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History and Clonmel Credit Union, the festival organisers are proud to present the all new Hidden Gems stage – a fully rigged stage, nestled under a stretch tent in the walled garden. A host of incredible homegrown talent will perform their music authentically to crowds of hundreds of people at this years festival. MDR, The Cedartowns, Briars, Ruairí de Leastar, Eve Whelan, The Wood of O and Seánie Bermingham have been selected by the team to perform. Audiences will see that original music is strong in the locality, and support for these artists should exist year round, from local venues and local audiences through to the other festivals and promoters of the area too.
SUPPORT
The festival would not happen without the incredible support received from local organisations and businesses. Last week saw the festival team met up with some of their key supporters and local artists on the grounds of Raheen House in anticipation of this year’s festival. Rachel Alders of Beat 102 103, Celine Scully of Clonmel Credit Union, Tom Gleeson and Clodagh Phelan of Camida, as well as artists Breege Phelan and Will McLellan of The Wood of O and Eve Whelan all gathered on the stunning grounds with photographer John Kelly. Missing from the photo’s are Marie McMahon of Tipperary Museum of Hidden History and members of Tipperary County Council, all who have gotten behind the festival’s vision and dream. Organisers are n delighted to present local food vendors too in The Oven, MyStreetFood and Raheen House Hotel’s BBQ. It is a festival very much rooted in the town of Clonmel, one which endeavours to promote and celebrate those living, working and creating in the area.

A festival art exhibition special will be held over the weekend, showcasing the work of RATS artist collective – Random Artists of Tipperary South. Far away hills are often greener, but in this case they are right on our doorstep. ‘You don’t know what you’ve got, til it’s gone’, so organisers are urging us to support this festival and get out for two nights of Clonmel music, food vendors, hospitality and the incredible headlining acts that are coming to town.Don’t miss Bell X1, Ye Vagabonds, Susan O’Neill, Rachael Lavelle, The Line, Cormac Looby, food, DJs, and more! Final tickets from €35 are on sale at whennextwemeet.ie