Clonmel’s Inaugural Plein Air

With the Suir Blueway running through it and built against the stunning backdrop of the Comeragh mountains, Clonmel awaits your discovery during our Plein Air on 4th and 5th July. Also within easy reach of the rich scenery and outstanding OPW sites in Carrick, Cahir and Cashel, we invite you to join us for Clonmel’s inaugural Plein Air. Come to Clonmel to paint and draw and enjoy the hospitality and cultural programme that the 2026 Clonmel Junction Arts Festival offers. Click here to find out more…

2025 Highlights

2026 Festival

Exchanges

Exploring Cultural Exchanges & Blended Cultures

Our festival theme for 2026 is ‘Exchanges’, exciting conversations about ourselves and our communities, exploring Cultural exchanges and blended cultures. Our brochure and full programme will be launched on Thursday 4th June with tickets for events going on sale on Friday 5th June but, in the meantime, keep an eye on our active social media for our build up to launch day as well as updates on our community development projects and other ways to be involved in the lead up to the festival (3rd to 12th July).

Rebecca Lenehan
Artistic Director

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, Clonmel, County Tipperary

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The Horse of Jenin by Alaa Shehada 🐴 The Horse of Jenin, written and performed by Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada, tells a universal story. It is about a boy growing up in Jenin, but like every child in the world, he most wants to play and have fun. It is a story about the resilience that imagination brings. In April 2002, a major invasion took place in Jenin. In the aftermath, a German artist came over for an art workshop. After four weeks, with the help of 15 Palestinians, he unveiled the result. He had built a horse as tall as 5 metres out of metal fragments, debris from the bombing. They rode the horse through the city and everyone was proud of it, people felt lifted by it. The horse is an Arabic symbol of freedom, but this horse was also a symbol of peaceful resistance. It was a symbol of resilience. Last November, an Israeli bulldozer entered the camp and the horse was removed.  In this solo, Alaa wonders: what happened to the horse? Was it arrested? Did it go to court? Was he able to defend himself? Did they put him in jail? Was the horse interrogated? And did it then tell about the day Alaa tried to ride the horse with his best friend Ahmed?  With this solo, Alaa builds a new horse, constructed from the fragments of his memories supplemented with a huge dose of humour and imagination. A theatrical symbol of resistance and imagination. The performance is an ode to the power of imagination and the value of playing freely. ★★★★★ | The Guardian. “A funny, haunting coming-of-age tale of boyhood in occupied Palestine” “This is a production that chooses to find joy amid horror.” “Shehada is very funny and full of energy...” ★★★★★ | The Scotsman “A terrific tale of Palestinian life, laughter and tragedy under unimaginable pressure.” ★★★★★ | British Theatre Guide “...one of the most important shows at this year’s Edinburgh festival.” Presented in association with @earagailartsfestival @cairdefestival . Principally funded by the Arts Council and Tipperary County Council Tickets go on sale on junctionfestival.com on 5th June @tipperarycoco @artscouncilireland
What a fantastic turnout this afternoon for Emerging Voices Exhibition with @cbs.highschool.clonmel A huge thanks to everyone involved 🙌🏼🎨 #emergingvoices #artexhibitions #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #clonmelarts
Call into the Junction Platform this afternoon to see the Emerging Voices Exhibition with @cbs.highschool.clonmel 🎨 #art #artexhibitions #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #clonmel
The Mask Project – Clonmel Junction Arts Festival Supported by Creative Ireland 👺🎭 @creativeireland @creativeirelandtipperary Cork-based visual artist Tom Campbell is returning to Junction Festival to lead The Mask Project — a community engagement project centred on making large-scale papier-mâché masks and performing with them. It builds on last year’s hugely popular 100 Dogs Project. 🐾🐾🐾 What’s involved: Workshops cover both making and performing with the masks. Completed masks will form a Showgrounds Shopping Centre exhibition during the festival, with a street performance finale on Saturday 11th July. Who it’s for: Schools, community groups, and the general public (suitable for ages 10+). TUS students also have work experience opportunities involved. Key dates: • Workshops: 5th June – 27th June at The Platform, Unit 12A, Showgrounds Shopping Centre • Public drop-in Saturdays: 6th – 27th June • Performance workshops: 7th – 10th July • Street performance: Saturday 11th July • Festival runs: 3rd – 12th July How to apply / get involved: 📧 Schools & community groups: email info@junctionfestival.com to book workshops 📱 Public drop-ins: follow social media for full details 🌐 junctionfestival.com @tomcampbellart @showgroundssc @creativeireland #creativeireland #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #workshops #tomcampbell
Free. Creative. Thursday. 🙌 Kate Somerville’s Empowering Creativity taster session is on 7th May, 3–4pm at The Platform, Showgrounds. Call or message Kate to grab a spot 👉 087 718 5309 #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #creativeworkshop #clonmel
A huge congrats to Karl Clancy on the launch of Once There Was A Boy… today! 🐻📖 Today at 2pm at A Place for You, Gladstone st. @litlgudwolf #booklaunch #poetry #childrensbooks #clonmel
Meet the artist No.4 🎨✨ Join us for an informal chat with the talented Rutuja Kulkarni as she discusses her recent work! 🗓️Thursday 7th May 🕰️6–7pm 📍The Platform, Showgrounds Shopping Centre. Free and open to all — come along and be inspired! #ClonmelJunctionArtsFestival #Clonmel #CJAF26 #MeetTheArtist
Join us at The Junction Platform for our Emerging Voices Art Exhibition developed in collaboration with CBS Highschool, Offering young local artists a platform to share their work.🎨 🗓️Thursday 30th April, 🕰️1.30pm - 3pm 📍 @showgroundssc #artexhibitions #youngartists #cjaf26 #clonmel #clonmeljunctionfestival
Are you a crafter based in Tipperary? 🧶🧺 Clonmel Junction Arts Festival is putting out a callout for Tipperary crafters to be part of our celebration of Tipperary Food & Farming Day this summer! 🌻 📅 Saturday 11th July ⏰ 11am – 4pm 📍 Abbey Street Car Park, Clonmel E91 F744 Whether you felt, weave, knit, carve or create — if you make something beautiful with your hands, we’d love to have you with us on the day! 🙌 Get in touch with us at info@junctionfestival.com for further information on how to apply. Spread the word and share with a crafter near you! #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #foodandfarmingday #artsandcraft #clonmel
🌿 Calling all Tipperary Food & Drink Producers! 🍓 Clonmel Junction Arts Festival is looking for local producers to be part of our celebration of Tipperary Food & Farming Day! 📅 Saturday 11th July 🕚 11am – 4pm 📍 Abbey Street Car Park, Clonmel E91 F744 If you grow it, bake it, brew it or make it – we want to hear from you! 🙌 For further information, apply to: info@junctionfestival.com #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #tipperaryfoodproducers #foodmarket #clonmel
Cultural Exchanges Workshop number 6 with @anniehogg_thewildhedgeinkco It’s really starting to come together 🤩 @showgroundssc #culturalexchange #cjaf26 #clonmeljunctionfestival #clonmelarts
Join artist Kieran Guckian for a Plein Air Acrylic/Oil Painting Workshop — painting out in the open air, just as the great masters did! Kieran is a full-time artist whose passion is capturing light and landscape en plein air — and you may recognise him as a finalist on Landscape Artist of the Year 2025! 🎨🌟 🗓️ Saturday 4th July 📍Clonmel (details to be sent following registration) ⏰ 10.30am – 1pm 🎟️ €40 | Ages 18+ Please note: a ticket to the main Plein Air event is required before purchasing this workshop. Once booked, you’ll receive an access code by email. Link in our bio! #ClonmelJunctionFestival #PleinAir #PaintingWorkshop #Clonmel #cjaf26
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