Friday May 29th – Sunday May 31st | Raheen House, Clonmel
Clonmel’s boutique music festival When Next We Meet returns for its fifth edition this June Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing three days of carefully curated music to the grounds of Raheen House.
With just 800 tickets available per night, the festival has built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most intimate outdoor music experiences with high production, no camping, no mud, and the ease of enjoying everything Clonmel town has to offer before and after the music. It’s a festival designed for comfort, connection and discovery.
This year begins with a special soft launch evening on Friday May 29th. With tickets priced at just €15 and gates opening at 6pm, it offers locals and those travelling into town a relaxed way to step into the weekend without committing to all three days.
Performances on Friday come from Clonmel Community Choir, Jo Blonde, Sun Merchant and rising band Babyrat. Organisers have hinted that a special update regarding Friday will be announced soon.
Saturday’s programme features the highly celebrated collaboration of Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill, alongside previously announced The Wran, with the exciting additions of Palestinian-Irish artist Róisín El Cherif and local favourite Eve Whelan. The Hidden Gems Stage, developed with Tipperary Museum and supported through Tipperary Arts Office, continues its focus on grassroots talent with performances from emerging artists including In Lieu of Flowers, Noah Hayes and The Last Party, alongside the winners of the ongoing Tipperary Battle of the Bands.
Sunday May 31st sees the festival welcome its first international headliner, The Waterboys, marking a milestone moment for the homegrown event’s fifth edition. They are joined by previously announced Moxie, with the addition of Jukebox Gypsy and rising Tipp/Cork band MDR, while Ae Mak, Cáit Ní Riain, Ruairí De Leastar and Charcoal Greys take to the Hidden Gems Stage.
Festival organisers say the heart of the event remains unchanged:
“For our fifth edition we’re bringing a once-off three-day celebration of incredible music, with our first international headliner in The Waterboys. We haven’t strayed from our roots in promoting exciting Irish artists in the alternative and indie space, however. We’ve carefully selected the best in emerging and established artists from Ireland and the local community, built for audiences who really listen to music and can appreciate the quiet as well as the hype!”
A Festival Built in Clonmel
Beyond the music, the weekend includes Root & Rise at WNWM, a collaboration with The Yoga Yard offering breathwork, yoga and a dedicated chill-out space. The Food Yard and The Makers’ Market showcase local producers and craftspeople across the weekend.
When Next We Meet has grown with the support of local company Camida and CEO David Anchell, whose backing has helped establish the festival as a cultural highlight for the town. Additional support from Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Museum, Bulmers, IMRO, Bright Beam, Beat 102 103 and numerous local businesses has strengthened its community focus and allowed emerging artists to perform on a full professional production stage.
Day Passes go on sale Tuesday April 7th via www.whennextwemeet.ie (through Eventbrite). Saturday passes are €55 plus booking fee while Sunday Passes are €65 plus booking fee. Very limited Weekend Passes remain at €110 plus booking fee, with a small number of All-In Passes (including the After Party) available at €130 plus booking fee.
With capacity limited, organisers expect tickets to move quickly for what promises to be a landmark fifth year for a festival Clonmel can proudly call its own.
