Dungarvan Strikes Up the Tunes as Four-Day TuneFest Returns with Leading Names in Irish Traditional Music
Makem & Clancy, Cherish the Ladies, Frankie Gavin, The Rising and Danú lead the lineup as the harbour town of Dungarvan hosts four days of standout concerts, pub sessions and outdoor gigs this June
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford is set for four days of packed venues, standout gigs and late-night trad as TuneFest returns from June 18 to 21. Bringing together leading figures and internationally recognised performers in Irish traditional music, the sell-out festival fills the music-loving harbour town each year, with demand high and the standard of musicianship evident across every part of the programme.
For four days, the harbour town becomes a non-stop celebration of traditional Irish music. From headline concerts at the Town Hall Theatre to a high-energy takeover at Club Creation and outdoor gigs in Grattan Square, TuneFest delivers a tightly curated programme of live performances, all within walking distance in the heart of Dungarvan.
TuneFest is built around the live experience. Each night centres on a standout gig, with audiences gathering for incredible trad performances that range from intimate and finely tuned to full-throttle and energetic. It is a weekend shaped by the calibre of its artists and the shared experience of seeing them live, up close, in venues that fill quickly and stay buzzing long after the final tune.
This year’s programme brings together established leaders in traditional music alongside a new generation of performers. TuneFest 2026 opens on Thursday 18 June at Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre with Rory Makem and Dónal Clancy. Sons of Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, their performance brings 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 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 also sees 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. 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 also offers a different pace with social dancing in Lawlors Hotel, where Patrick O’Sullivan leads the floor, adding another lively strand to the weekend’s programme.
Sunday afternoon sees 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 offers audiences the opportunity to experience a musician of international standing in an intimate seated setting, making it one of the key anchor events of the festival weekend.
The festival closes 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 leading ensembles in Irish traditional music today. 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, the energy of TuneFest carries through the town in its renowned pub sessions. Musicians of the same calibre as those appearing on the main stages gather informally across Dungarvan’s pubs, creating late-night sessions of an exceptionally high standard. It is not unusual to see internationally touring artists and headline performers return to play again in a more intimate setting, with singers such as Rory Makem leading sessions that draw packed crowds and keep the music going into the early hours.
Grattan Square 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.
TuneFest is organised by a voluntary committee deeply rooted in the local trad community, reflecting a long-standing and vibrant musical culture in West Waterford. The festival creates a welcoming space where established musicians and emerging players can share tunes side by side.
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. Dungarvan comes alive for the weekend and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back again this June.”
With leading names, packed venues and a programme that brings top-tier trad into intimate settings, TuneFest Dungarvan promises an unmissable weekend for anyone with a love of traditional music.
Four days. One town. All trad.
Tickets and full festival details are available now at www.tunefest.ie
ARTICLE CREDIT - ETC
