culture arts history
art in Thurles
The children of Thurles are immersed in the arts scene from an early age, and are involved in school musicals, plays, recitals, and dance.
The town is lucky to be home to various music academies, our musical society, youth theatre and drama group, dance groups varying from classical ballet to theatrical dance and traditional dance, and much more. We have a vibrant exhibition space and library, and encourage many craft forms throughout the year in various festivals celebrating music, dance, comedy, film, visual art, and more. Keep up to date with our social media platforms to see what’s going on in the arts in our town, you are sure to find something of interest.
Festivals in Thurles
We have a reputation of celebrating in festival in Thurles – from the early days of celebrating the Fleadh Ceoil held in Thurles in 1965, right up to the present day Games Fleadh, Ireland’s Digital Programming Festival for third level students which takes place at Limerick Institute of Technology’s Thurles campus.
We celebrate our festivals annually from early in the year when the Tipperary Drama Festival kicks off in Holycross, hosting the cream of drama groups competing in confined and open sections with their plays for the coveted all Ireland Drama Champions.
March sees the aforementioned Games Fleadh in TUS attracting Students from all over Ireland with ambitions in the gaming industry, who get a unique insight into the 138.5 billion dollar industry and access to some of the world’s most successful gaming companies and representative bodies.
Fans of all thing spooktacular in the form of events and workshops, halloween face painting and special effects make-up, arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, music, and much more look forward to our Thurles Halloween Arts Festival yearly
The festival year ends in December with the ever popular Thurles Skyfest which has a range of events that entertain everyone including Christmas markets, fireworks displays, Carol singing, funfair rides, Santa’s Grotto, Polar Express Train rides, and festive food.
