Clonmel Junction Arts Festival 2018

IT’S A SUIR THING: Clonmel Junction Arts Festival 2018 brings it all back home for 7 days of culture and summer fun on the banks of the River Suir, July 2 – 8 TICKETS ON SALE (from tonight - Wed 23 May): junctionfestival.com Announcing Clonmel Junction Arts Festival 2018 - Tipperary’s heritage town blossoms in a full spectrum of inspirational culture this July: Clonmel Junction Arts Festival (CJAF) turns 18 years old this year and today announces its jam-packed 2018 programme for its annual week-long celebration of culture, and of Clonmel. With this milestone coming-of-age anniversary, you are invited to immerse in the best theatre, circus, dance, music, comedy in the county of Tipperary, a one-stop shop where you can also find lots of free entertainment all across town. This year’s programme of events puts a sharp focus on home-grown talent as many artists are either from Clonmel or have a strong connection to it. The River Suir and 
the wealth of creativity that springs from it provides the theme of this year’s festival and our HOME GROWN HEROES strand is a ‘must see’ this July. The sheer number of amazing artists that hail from the town, or who are connected to it in some way, is something of which Clonmel is rightly proud, From talented singer-songwriter Ruairí de Leastar to rising indie stars Pale Rivers, breakout dance choreographer Olwyn Lyons to iconic DJ and activist Tonie Walsh, local artists are at the heart of this year’s festival. With many exciting events over the seven days, this year’s festival hosts a show in a bakery; a handball alley; an ammunition storehouse; a 13th century church; a magic bookshop and a piano bar. Some of the feature events will be at the Big Top circus tent at the Old Military Barracks. CJAF18 begins under the directorship of a brand-new festival director, Nollaig Healy, who promises a festival for everyone to enjoy and for everyone to find their chance to engage, wonder and be challenged: “I'm so excited about this programme of events coming to Clonmel Junction Arts Festival this July. In my inaugural year programming the festival I’m delighted to be able to announce the newHome Grown Heroes strand celebrating the vibrant culture of the town and surrounding areas. When I moved to Clonmel first, I was astonished at the number of amazingly talented artists who were either from the town or had a strong connection with Clonmel and I have been privileged to work with so many of them in various capacities over the years. I really want the Festival to celebrate all this amazing creativity while showcasing some of our emerging talent who have grown up with the Festival over the past 18 years. I really am immensely proud and in awe of these young artists while being utterly thrilled that the Festival can provide a platform for them.