Visitors to Ireland’s sunny southeast who are looking for a great traditional Irish music festival will find it in the stunning harbor town of Dungarvan in County Waterford.
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Tune Fest Dungarvan, which is slated to take place June 23-25, will bring together some of the most talented traditional Irish musicians and singers from Waterford, around the country, and overseas for one incredible weekend of top-class music and fun.
The popular group Dervish from County Sligo, along with Ímar and Danú will headline the popular festival now in its third year.
Visitors can participate in various workshops and book launches and enjoy the dancing, pub sessions, youth busking, and free outdoor gig rig performances that the festival has on offer.
The festival will also include Tulua, a Wexford group that will support Dervish, Waterford duo Danny and Tommy Dunford who will support the five-piece Ímar, and the current All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Champions for 2022, Taobh Na Mara, who will support Danú.
As Dungarvan hosts TuneFest, expect to hear everything from ancient airs to popular ballads, céilí tunes, jigs, reels, and polkas as well as more modern tunes with an Irish trad twist from the headlining groups and their supporting musicians.
In addition to the award-winning céilí band’s performances, other All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil winners will also be playing on stage, many of them from the Waterford area.
They include All Ireland champion fiddle player Sarah O Gorman, who will perform in the town square, along with previous All Ireland Champions Claire Fennell, Clara Mannion, Seamus O’Gorman, Joseph Mannion, Niamh Fennell and Ellen O’Gorman.
Additional Festival Entertainment Around Dungarvan
In addition to the open-air gig rig entertainment in Grattan Square in the center of Dungarvan, a busking competition from several young musicians will also take place outside The Local, a popular pub in town.
No less than 4 CD launch events will also take place at Lawlor’s Hotel over the weekend showcasing new music from artists Tara Breen, Nuala Kennedy and Tony Byrne, followed by Paul Clesham, Conor Arkins, Diarmuid Ó’Meachair and Taobh Na Mara.
Workshops for banjo, fiddle, accordion, concertina, whistle and bodhrán will run on Saturday, June 24th at the local secondary school, Ard Scoil Na Deise, followed by a tutor and student concert.
Advance registration is required.
The local grá (love) for trad is in no small measure thanks to a strong and vibrant trad community led by its proximity to the nearby An Rinn Gaeltacht, an Irish-speaking region in Waterford, and the thriving Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann branches.
In addition to top class music offered at Tune Fest, Dungarvan, with its wide selection of pubs and restaurants, is a great destination to visit, as well as its proximity to the Waterford Greenway.
The festival has also teamed up with local hotels and accommodation providers to offer special packages for those looking to stay in Dungarvan for the weekend.
Tickets for TuneFest Dungarvan are currently on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tunefest.ie, facebook.com/tunefestdungarvan or buy in person at The Local in Dungarvan.