As TuneFest returns to Dungarvan from June 17th to 21st, the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of traditional musicians will once again come to life through a dedicated programme of workshops and youth-focused events.

Taking place in Dungarvan on Saturday 20th June, the TuneFest workshops offer intermediate to advanced players the opportunity to learn directly from some of the most respected performers in Irish traditional music, in an environment that reflects the collaborative and living nature of the tradition.

Led by an impressive lineup of tutors, the programme spans a wide range of instruments and disciplines. Participants can work closely with Tara Breen on fiddle, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail on pipes, flute and whistle, Keelan McGrath on accordion, Ademar O’Connor on banjo, Danny Collins on bodhrán and Colm Browne on concertina, while singers will be guided by Ann Mulqueen and Alice Fitzgerald.

Alongside this, the festival’s popular youth busking competition will once again bring young musicians to the streets of Dungarvan on Saturday afternoon. Open to under-18s, the competition offers a lively and supportive platform for emerging players to perform in front of festival audiences, adding to the atmosphere across the town while giving participants valuable live experience.

Set against the backdrop of a festival already alive with sessions, concerts and street performances, both the workshops and busking competition provide meaningful opportunities for young musicians to develop their skills, build confidence and connect with others who share a passion for traditional music.

TuneFest has long placed an emphasis on creating space for emerging talent, ensuring that younger players are not just spectators, but active participants in the festival. From structured learning to informal sessions and street performance, the next generation is woven into the fabric of the weekend.

Commenting on the importance of this strand of the programme, organiser Donnchadh Gough said that passing on the tradition is central to what TuneFest stands for. “These workshops are about more than just improving your playing. They are about connection, about learning from musicians who are deeply rooted in the tradition, and about giving the next generation the confidence to step into sessions and carry the music forward. Seeing young musicians take to the streets as part of the busking competition is always a highlight of the weekend.”

Full details and booking information are available at www.tunefest.ie