WATCH: Inside the forgotten Tipperary pub given new life with dramatic transformation
Former Kickham House begins a new chapter as Tipperary Arts opens its community hub
One of Tipperary Town's transformation projects reached a significant milestone this month as Tipperary Arts (TARTS) officially opened the doors of its new community arts hub in the former Kickham House pub on Main Street.
The volunteer-led collective welcomed members of the public to the newly renovated premises at 50 Main Street on Saturday, July 18, marking the culmination of months of work to transform the long-vacant building into a vibrant creative space.
Visitors throughout the open day had the opportunity to tour the venue, meet local artists and hear about ambitious plans for exhibitions, workshops, performances, open mic nights and community events.
The opening represents a remarkable achievement for TARTS, which was established just a year ago in July 2025. In a relatively short period, the organisation has grown from a small network of local creatives into a thriving collective encompassing painters, musicians, poets, writers, sculptors, digital artists and graphic designers.
Speaking at the launch, Musical Director Rob Carney described the occasion as an important moment, not just for the organisation but for the wider Tipperary Town community.
"This has been an immense undertaking for everybody involved – it's art for art's sake," he said.
"It is not supported by anybody except us and thanks to Travis and Nina for this magnificent place. This is art for the people, by the people. It is thanks to John Renwick and Mairéad Butler, who started the Art Bank in Bunclody and told us we could do this."
The arts hub has its roots in the successful Tipperary Arts Windows initiative, which saw local artists transform vacant shopfronts around the town by displaying artwork in empty premises. The project not only brightened the streetscape but also provided emerging artists with valuable opportunities to showcase their work.
The next chapter began when the owners of the former Kickham House pub, Travis and Nina Frisby, offered the vacant building to the group rent-free, giving TARTS the opportunity to establish a permanent home in the heart of the town. The couple took over the well-known pub in November 2021.
Group leader Marion Stern paid tribute to the Frisbys' generosity during the official opening, acknowledging the vital role their support had played in bringing the project to life.
The new venue is designed to become a year-round creative hub, hosting exhibitions, workshops, performances and cultural events while providing local artists with a dedicated space to develop their skills and share their work with the wider community.
Speaking previously about the vision for the project, Marion said the hub would be much more than simply a gallery space.
"It is a place for the community to connect with their own creativity," she said. "It also allows us to showcase our work and share our knowledge and skills with the wider community."
She also believes the initiative has the potential to boost Tipperary Town's profile as a destination for creative tourism.
"We are at the foothills of the Galtees in one of the most beautiful picturesque locations in Ireland and it is not being utilised," she said.
"We could have a fantastic infrastructure here for painting holidays and creative courses to encourage creative tourism."
For Marion, the wider ambition extends beyond the arts.
"It is really about getting people to look at the potential of the town and brightening up the place, and stopping it from being a thoroughfare," she explained.
Sustainability has also been central to the project from the beginning, with much of the refurbishment completed using donated and repurposed materials, reflecting the group's community-led ethos.
With its doors now open, TARTS hopes the former Kickham House will become a permanent focal point for creativity in Tipperary Town, offering opportunities for artists of all disciplines while encouraging more people to engage with the arts and helping to breathe new life into the town centre.