PICTURES: Plenty of craic agus ceol in Dungarvan as thousands enjoy TuneFest 2025

The curtain has come down on The curtain has come down on TuneFest Dungarvan 2025 which saw the harbour town being transformed into a stage. 

For three days, streets, pubs, squares and venues pulsed with rhythm and warmth as thousands descended on the coastal town for TuneFest Dungarvan 2025, a weekend steeped in traditional Irish music, cultural pride, and pure atmosphere, topped off by fabulous weather.   

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Celebrating its fifth year, the festival once again proved that its heart lies in its community.

Organised by a dedicated voluntary committee headed up by Donnacha Gough,  Valerie O’ Gorman, Brendan Clancy and Cllr Damien Geoghan - and rooted in the musical heritage of West Waterford and the neighbouring An Rinn Gaeltacht - TuneFest delivered something truly special across the weekend.

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Stellar mix of talent

Irish-American supergroup Cherish the Ladies marked their 40th anniversary with two packed performances; Danú celebrated 30 years together with a rousing festival finale; Talisk brought high-energy Scottish trad to Club Creation; and genre-defying Irish group The Rising lit up the stage. The weekend blended household names with fresh sounds, thrilling trad enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Grattan Square was once again the beating heart of the festival where the outdoor gig rig hosted free, family-friendly shows under open skies, while the surrounding streets buzzed with visitors enjoying Dungarvan’s vibrant outdoor hospitality scene.

There was no shortage of impromptu music either — the festival’s famed pub session trail saw traditional tunes flowing late into the night in venues including: The Local, The Moorings, The Lady Belle, Merry's Gastro Pub, Downey's Bar, The Anchor, Alice O'Connor's, The Tudor House, Paddy Foley's, Nagles, and Minnie's Bar.

Workshops at Ard Scoil na nDéise were a major draw, with over 150 musicians taking part in sessions across fiddle, concertina, whistle, banjo, accordion, and bodhrán. Acclaimed tutors — Tara Breen, Keith O'Loughlin, Brian O'Loughlin, Conor O'Loughlin, Keelan McGrath, Joseph McNulty, and Sorcha Costello — led the day, helping participants develop their skills before a special tutor-student performance capped off the experience.

The town was also brought to life by the busking competition, with young musicians filling the streets with energy and melody. The winning ensembles impressed both the public and the judges with their performance, adding to the celebratory mood of the weekend.

Beyond the music, TuneFest 2025 continued to showcase the wider charm of Dungarvan — a town made for exploration. Visitors paired tunes with sea views, wandered along the Waterford Greenway, or ventured west to the copper coastline, discovering beaches like Clonea, Stradbally Cove and Ardmore.

Festival-goers also enjoyed the area’s growing culinary reputation, from local farmers markets to well-known food spots like The Tannery, Merry’s, and a host of cafes and gastropubs.

The festival closed on Sunday with a powerful joint performance from Taobh Na Mara and Danú at The Park Hotel — a rousing finale that left the audience buzzing and already planning their return.

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With over 15,000 attending, the town's hotels and guesthouses were bustling, and there was a huge number of campervans visiting town also.

TuneFest Dungarvan 2025 strengthened its reputation as one of Ireland’s leading traditional music gatherings. It was a weekend where the line between performer and participant blurred, where every street corner carried a tune, and where the spirit of tradition felt alive and thriving.

TuneFest 2026 will take place between June 19 and June 21, next year.