Gallery 3: TuneFest Dungarvan 2024 ends on a high note

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‘Rivetting’, ‘pulsating’, ‘heart pounding’, ‘feet stomping’, ‘invigorating’, ‘joyous’ and ‘phenomenal’ were just some of the words used to describe the TuneFest Dungarvan festival which took place at the end of June. 

Now in its 4th year, the 2024 edition of TuneFest Dungarvan has been heralded as an outstanding success, drawing in music lovers from across the country and beyond for an eclectic celebration of Irish music and community. 

Tunefest is what can only be described as a’ small but mighty’ festival steered lovingly by a small group of volunteer organisers as a passion project headed up by Donnchadh Gough and Valerie O’ Gorman, and that grassroots authentic driving force indeed may be the very secret to its building success.

The traditional Irish music festival undoubtedly transformed the harbour town of Dungarvan into a lively hub of culture and community, with more than 1800 tickets sold and a great attendance at the many free events making it  a melting pot of musical talent.

Attendees were  in high spirits enjoying the good weather and were already looking forward to next year's festival! 

The festival got underway on Friday night with ‘Meitheal’ Summer School award winning group ‘Trí Thine’ setting the stage beautifully for a powerful performance by the renowned Irish American supergroup ‘Cherish the Ladies’.

Their show received a massive reaction from the audience, with an mesmerising atmosphere from the opening chords. The performance was a true show in all senses, with top-notch musicianship and vocal talent on display, accented by impressive dance performances Nathan Pilatzke and Francis Fallon, Sophie Dunford  and Caelinn McGrath

Dungarvan Town Hall proved to be an invaluable venue, enhancing the festival experience and underscoring its importance to the town. The hall's ambiance and acoustics brought an added level of prestige and enjoyment to the performances including that of local musician Joe Power who performed on Saturday afternoon.

A significant highlight of TuneFest Dungarvan was the array of workshops offered. With 150 students from all over the country attending, these workshops provided invaluable learning experiences under the guidance of top-class tutors—the best in the country.

The workshops covered a variety of instruments, allowing participants to hone their skills and immerse themselves in the traditions of Irish music.

Following the workshops, these students formed about 30 groups and spread out across the town, filling the streets with lively tunes and spontaneous sessions. This culminated in a collective gig, further amplifying the festival's vibrant atmosphere.

On the second night, the festival continued to dazzle with two incredible gigs. The first was by award winning Scottish trad band Talisk who were energetically supported by the Johnny Quinn Macs performing in front of a crowd of 400 at Club Creation.

The second was an additional performance by Cherish the Ladies, put on as an extra to meet the huge demand. Both performances were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the rich talent within the Irish traditional music scene and the appetite for this genre of music across concert goers young and old alike.

The Gig Rig made its return to Grattan square transforming the town centre on Saturday and Sunday into a sociable hub of entertainment for attendees of all ages. The Gig Rig stage welcomed Taobh Na Mara with special guest appearances of Don Stiffe and then Trí Thine, followed by the local act The Wran.

Sunday’s stage featured The Johnny Quinn Macs  & Donnchadh Gough and followed by an array of local musicians.

Pub sessions added another layer of charm to the festival, with venues including Downeys, The Moorings, The Local, Merrys, The Lady Belle, The Anchor, Minnies, and Alice O’Connor’s hosting intimate and lively music sessions that kept the spirit of traditional Irish music vibrant all weekend.

There was no let up in activity for Sunday with the fabulous upstairs venue of The Old Bank hosting 2 beautiful cd launches by The O'Loughlins from Clare followed by John Wynne and John McEvoy set against stunning views of the sparkling blue waters of Dungarvan Harbour.

The festival culminated in a grand finale concert that took place at the Park Hotel  featuring an exhilarating performance by Taobh Na Mara and Danú. The event drew a large crowd and a great reaction, wrapping up the festival on a high note and leaving everyone eager for next year.

With such a strong turnout and positive feedback, anticipation is already building for TuneFest Dungarvan 2025 which will take place on 20th - 22nd June 2025 with lineup to follow!

For more see www.tunefest.ie 

Photos by Phillips Olckers.