Who says you need to go to Glastonbury to catch the biggest acts on the festival circuit? In just over a weeks time Scottish trad innovators Talisk and rising local stars The Wran—will take to the stage in Dungarvan as part of TuneFest 2025 before heading to Glastonbury.
Hailing from the Comeraghs of County Waterford The Wran is a trad fusion band made up of brothers Tommy, Danny, Sean, and Stephen Dunford. Running from June 20th to 22nd, TuneFest is a much-loved traditional Irish music festival marking its fifth and most exciting edition yet. With a line-up including performances from homegrown favourites Cherish the Ladies, the legendary Danú, and genre-defying ensemble The Rising as well as outdoor performances, pub sessions, workshops and a busking competition.
Cherish the Ladies, the trailblazing all-female ensemble celebrating their 40th anniversary, return to Dungarvan following their sold-out shows last year. Known for their rousing jigs and reels, stirring ballads and dazzling musicianship, they headline at Dungarvan Town Hall on both Friday 20th and Saturday 21st June. Their long-standing leader, Joanie Madden, has guided the group to international acclaim, with 18 albums to date. Supporting them on Friday night will be the emerging group Sí Gaoithe.
Photograher: Philip Olckers
Also headlining is Danú, one of Ireland’s most beloved traditional groups, marking 30 years at the heart of Irish folk. A staple of TuneFest since its inception, Danú will take to the stage at The Park Hotel on Sunday 22nd June, supported by the lively Taobh na Mara Céilí Band. With a sound rooted in tradition yet fresh with energy, Danú has consistently sold out performances and remains a highlight for festival-goers year after year.
Adding a dynamic international edge is Scottish trio Talisk, whose explosive sound and genre-pushing innovation have earned them a global following. They’ll perform at Club Creation on Saturday night, June 21st, in a high-energy gig co-headlined with The Rising—a modern trad-pop powerhouse who recently played the 2025 Gathering Festival and continue to attract a huge online following, including viral social media moments and millions of views. Both Talisk and The Wran (also performing during the weekend) are set to appear at Glastonbury Festival’s prestigious Field of Avalon stage later this summer, underlying TuneFest Dungarvan’s position as a tastemaker and champion of top-tier talent.
But the weekend is about more than headline acts. Throughout the town, the spirit of Irish music will spill onto the streets and into the pubs, with free open-air performances on Grattan Square across Saturday and Sunday, and lively late-night sessions throughout Dungarvan’s favourite venues.
For budding musicians, there is a full day of immersive workshops at Ard Scoil na Déise on Saturday covering bodhrán, banjo, fiddle, concertina, whistle, and accordion, culminating in a tutor-and-student concert. A busking competition outside on Grattan Square that afternoon invites emerging performers to showcase their talents in front of festival audiences.
Set against the coastal beauty of Dungarvan, with its renowned hospitality, award-winning eateries and the backdrop of the Waterford Greenway, TuneFest offers an unforgettable weekend of culture and connection for all ages. From intimate acoustic sessions to roof-raising concerts, it’s a unique opportunity to experience traditional music at its very best—and there is no passport required, no muddy tents, no long queues for a compost loo—just great music, brilliant venues, top-class food and drink, and all the lively atmosphere and amenities the town has to offer.
For tickets, workshop details, and the full programme, visit www.tunefest.ie.