TuneFest on the way to County Waterford

Dungarvan is preparing for one of its liveliest weekends of the summer as TuneFest returns from June 18 to 21, bringing four days of concerts, pub sessions, outdoor gigs and late-night trad to venues across the town.

The festival has become one of the standout weekends in the summer calendar for not just Dungarvan but also the entire Déise county, drawing visitors from across Ireland while creating a major atmosphere throughout the harbour town and wider Waterford region.

From headline concerts at the Town Hall Theatre to outdoor performances in Grattan Square and late-night sessions across local pubs, TuneFest transforms Dungarvan into a non-stop celebration of traditional Irish music, all within walking distance in the heart of the town.

The festival has grown into one of the standout weekends in the local summer calendar while still retaining its grassroots spirit.

Organised by a voluntary committee deeply rooted in the local trad community, the festival is driven by a genuine passion for traditional Irish music and for creating something special in Dungarvan.

A spokesperson for the organisers said this year's programme will bring together leading names in Irish traditional music alongside emerging performers and local musicians, with Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy, Cherish the Ladies, Frankie Gavin, Danú, Damien Mullane, The Rising and The Johnny Quinn Macs all featuring across the four-day festival.

TuneFest 2026 will open on Thursday, June 18, at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre with Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy.

Sons of the legendary Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, their performance will bring together songs and stories rooted in one of the most influential legacies in Irish folk music, setting the tone for the four-day festival.

Friday and Saturday evening will see the Town Hall Theatre host Cherish the Ladies, one of the most internationally recognised ensembles in Irish music. 

Led by flute and whistle virtuoso Joanie Madden, the Grammy-nominated group has spent four decades performing worldwide, with appearances ranging from major concert halls to the Olympics and the White House. 

Known for their blend of virtuosic playing, vocals and step dancing, they have earned a reputation as one of the most engaging live acts in traditional music.

Saturday evening will also see the festival take over Club Creation for a standing concert featuring Damien Mullane, Eugene Quinn and Colm Keane, alongside Killarney electric-trad trio, The Rising and The Johnny Quinn Macs. 

Formed in 2016, The Rising have built a strong following for their contemporary take on trad and are currently marking the 10-year anniversary of their first live performance with their Decades Tour. 

One of the organisers commented: "Bringing together some of the most dynamic performers on the current scene, it promises to be one of the defining nights of the weekend." 

Saturday night will also offer a different pace with social dancing in Lawlor's Hotel, where Patrick O’Sullivan will lead the floor, adding another lively strand to the weekend’s programme.

Sunday afternoon will see the Town Hall Theatre host a matinee concert led by Frankie Gavin, performing with pianist Catherine McHugh and joined by Dónal Murphy, Patrick Doocey and David Doocey. 

A co-founder of De Dannan and widely regarded as one of the leading figures in Irish traditional music, Gavin’s appearance will offer audiences the opportunity to experience a musician of international standing in an intimate seated setting.

It promises to be one of the key anchor events of the festival weekend.

The festival will close on Sunday evening at The Park Hotel, where Danú will deliver a fitting finale, with special guests Ger O’Donnell and Don Stiffe opening the night. 

Drawn from counties Waterford, Cork, Dublin and Donegal, Danú is widely regarded as one of the alltime leading ensembles in Irish traditional music.

Known for performances that move from fierce, driving reels to more pensive ballads, their virtuosic players on flute, fiddle, whistle, accordion and bouzouki have spent more than two decades touring internationally, earning acclaim for both their musicianship and their ability to connect with audiences.

"Beyond the headline gigs, much of the festival’s atmosphere comes from the renowned pub sessions that take place throughout the weekend," said the spokesperson for the organising committee.

"Musicians of the same calibre as those appearing on the main stages gather informally across Dungarvan’s pubs, creating sessions that regularly continue into the early hours and draw packed crowds throughout the town," she added.

Grattan Square will once again becomes the outdoor hub of the festival, with the popular Gig Rig hosting free performances across the weekend, with live sets taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the square will be filled with the sound of trad as crowds gather to enjoy the music in the open air.

Workshops and sessions also form a key part of the weekend, with musicians of all levels attending to develop their skills, learn from leading players and immerse themselves more deeply in the music, while a lively busking competition brings fresh energy to the streets across the weekend.

Commenting ahead of the 2026 festival, organiser Donnchadh Gough said: “TuneFest has always been about bringing the very best musicians together and creating an atmosphere where people can experience them up close."

"The gigs are at the heart of it, but the energy across the whole town makes it something really special," he said.

"Dungarvan comes alive for the weekend and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back again this June.” 

Tickets and full festival details are available now at www.tunefest.ie