This year, government initiative Creative Ireland is highlighting some of the best projects, events, and initiatives that are bringing culture and the arts to the forefront in every Irish county and Co. Tipperary is no different.
The home county of talented musicians from The Clancy Brothers to Shane McGowan, there's always a full calendar year of festivals and performances you won't want to miss. The sixth-largest county in Ireland, Tipperary enjoys a richness and diversity of culture and heritage inspired by the built and natural assets of the county.
The following are some of the highlight events happening in conjunction with the Creative Ireland arts and culture initiative and beyond.
Hybrid by Alice Maher
This year the groundwork will be set to support an exhibition by one of Tipperary’s most high profile, internationally renowned artists, Alice Maher. The exhibition is planned for The Source Arts Centre in 2018.
A Message in Time Exhibition County Museum
Image: Facebook/Tipperary County Museum.
This exhibition will explore the memories and stories of our past brought to life through digital animations, architectural discoveries, artistic interpretations and authentic postal collections. Includes collaborations with Clonmel Junction Festival, An Post, L.I.T, W.I.T, Artists Katie Hanlan, Lay of the Land and James Earley, as well local schools and community groups around the county. July 3, 2017 - April 27, 2018.
Tipperary Libraries Creative Ireland Program
Coin making in Tipperary County Museum. Image: Creative Ireland.
This year-long proposal aims to increase access and participation to the arts, to boost the creative industries, and to preserve our heritage. This will include a program for pre-schools, a Children’s Book Festival, in-depth summer workshops, and media production workshops for graphic novel illustrations.
Dromineer Literary Festival
What began as a small, local fest in 2004 has blossomed into one of Ireland’s best-loved literary festivals. For four days in October, Ireland’s rising literary stars and veterans of the written word gather on the banks of Lough Derg to talk about their craft with attendees in interviews and readings, while a range of workshops is also on offer.
Cashel Arts Festival
A four-day, family-friendly event with music, dance, visual arts, film, theater, workshops, literature and more in the lovely town of Cashel, near the famous Rock of Cashel. Late September is the time to be in the area and take it all in.
Summer Shakespeare Season at Cahir Castle
This summer, the Great Hall at Tipperary’s historic Cahir Castle was transformed into a Shakespearean-era theater, as modern and humorous adaptations of “Romeo and Juliet” (July 14 and 21) and “Hamlet” (July 28 and August 4) were performed.
Festival Cluain Meala
Photo: Facebook
The town of Clonmel transforms over nine summer days with bike races, gigs, busking, a medieval village, a medieval inn trail, culture events and a family fun day. Festival Cluain Meala marks the collaboration of three major festivals staged in Clonmel in August – the Medieval Walled Town Festival, the Suir Valley Three Day Cycling Festival and the Clonmel Busking Festival. This summer it took place August 5 - 13 - keep an eye out for 2018.
Terryglass Arts Festival
Photo: Facebook
Each summer, Terryglass, a small town on the banks of Lough Derg, comes alive for its annual festival showcasing the arts in all forms, from music, theater, dance and performance art to film and the visual arts. In tandem is a range of workshops so festival goers can unleash their own creativity, too. This summer it ran August 16 - 20, stay tuned for info on summer 2018!
Check out County Tipperary’s full culture and creativity plan here.
Is there an upcoming cultural event in Co. Tipperary you think people should know about? Tell us in the comment section.
