a thriving arts scene in our cultural town

We are lucky to live in a vibrant town of cultural diversity, in which all ages are dedicated to the arts in all its forms.

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 LIT 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.

June saw all new Thurles SuirFest, Our River, Our Story, in collaboration with Thurles Scouts. The event took place along the River Suir in Thurles on the Source Arts Centre Boardwalk and in the new Town Park. A celebration of our river and local environment, Visitors enjoyed traditional music performances, teas/coffees and treats, stands and exhibitors, Nature walks, a display of the River Suir Audit and a regatta of Thurles’ homemade boats, and much more.
SuirFest has been planned to compliment the Tipperary Library Cruinniu na nOg programme of arts and creativity workshops for kids.

Féile Beag an annual ‘mini Feile’. This features all local bands and acts, highlighting the musical talents Thurles has to offer, whilst raising funds for CameoCare.

The summer of 2018 saw the return of the Féile to Thurles, with thousands descending on the town to experience Feile Classical, which shone a new light on the classic Irish Songbook with Irish rock anthems performed by the original bands from the Trip to Tipp of the Eighties, but with a new twist behind them in the shape of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. This year with some of the most iconic Irish bands ever already announced, now curator Tom Dunne and his team have added more classic acts, the new Jerry Fish Stage, and two iconic performances as the next release of ”Feile for Grown Ups ” – Tipp Classical.

October sees the Trip to Tipp Weekend of Cycling which is an event suitable to anyone who is looking to get active while supporting a local event in aid of the NCBI (Working with people with Sight Loss). 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

For those that love the great outdoors, the Upperchurch Walking Weekend takes place in November where there is a wide range of walks available to suit every level of fitness from the tentative beginner to the experienced climber.

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.

the source arts centre

The Source Arts Centre opened its doors on 2nd October 2006 and has firmly established itself as one of the best live venues in the heart of the country. The venue comprises of a 250 seat theatre, visual art gallery, community studio space and bar. Set in the heart of Thurles town and on the banks of the River Suir, the arts centre has a year-round programme of cultural events including theatre, live music, comedy, dance, cinema, children’s theatre, youth arts, workshops and dance.

Address: Cathedral St, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, E41 A4E8
Box Office Phone: (0504) 90204
thesourceartscentre.ie
Twitter : @sourcearts
Facebook : @thesourceartscentre

latest listings

Dwan Academy Performing Arts School

In our new Dwan Academy Performing Arts Studios on Parnell Street we provide Musical Theatre, Ballet and Hip Hop classes as well as private tuition

Farney Castle

Farney Castle is a wonderful, architecturally diverse building nestled in beautiful grounds surrounded by a myriad of ancient and rare trees. The medieval round tower

The Dancer’s Academy Of Performing Arts – DAPA

Thurles ~ County Tipperary Hip Hop, Ballet & Street Fusion Classes every Saturday at The Source Arts Centre, Thurles. (Above Library) Classes are for children

Poppin Productions

Poppin Productions is the brainchild of Eamonn B. Shanahan. Established in 2015, the creative production company was formed primarily to act as a platform for collaboration.

Black Castle

The Black Castle is the historic home of Lady Thurles. Situated in Liberty Square, it is another addition to the many historic places that are

Songschool

Songschool is for secondary school age students who are interested in writing and recording songs, performing them at an evening concert, making a music video,

Cruthaigh

Cruthaigh is an organisation aiming to promote creativity in Thurles. Their aim is to promote creating art, connections, and experiences. Cruthaigh means “to create” in

Phoenix Productions

Phoenix Productions was founded in 1998 to harness the obvious talent of the young people of Thurles. It is a non-profit organisation. Through the use

Fracture Youth Theatre

Fracture Youth Theatre is a youth theatre that operates in The Source Arts Centre. They take on teenagers for terms each year. Throughout the terms,

Thurles Camera Club

Our club is one of the oldest camera clubs in the country being formed in 1977. It is an amateur organisation which affords members an

Thurles Musical Society

Thurles Musical Society was formed in 1950 and has performed a full musical each year since, including a number of years with multiple productions. Affiliated

Theatre School

A combination of classes in drama, singing and dance for children aged 4 – 16 to get together in a supportive, fun and creative environment.

st. marys church

St. Mary’s church, belonging to the Church of Ireland, is built on the site of another pre-reformation church in Thurles. This structure was built by

the source arts centre

The Source Arts Centre opened its doors on 2nd October 2006 and has firmly established itself as one of the best live venues in the

cathedral of the assumption

The Cathedral is the fourth church to be built on this site. The first one recorded was a Carmelite church built in the early fourteenth century.

leonardo’s summer camp

Leonardo’s Camp is back offering a week of art-filled fun for kids. a week of unparalleled artiness for kids. Learn from the old masters to

Lar na Pairce

Fáilte. Welcome to Lár na Páirce, the first museum dedicated to telling the story of the Gaelic Games. Located in Thurles, the birthplace of the

Holycross Abbey

Holycross is a very special and sacred place where you can walk in the footsteps of ancient Monks. Experience firsthand, through local guides, the story

International Garden of Remembrance

St Mary’s in Thurles, County Tipperary dates back to 1292. It contains a garden with a series of memorials, including the original one, opened in

Tipperary Studies

Tipperary Studies is dedicated to documenting and preserving the County’s rich cultural, social, economic and sporting histories, and aims to offer open, friendly and easy

Cormackstown Heritage Centre

The Cormackstown Heritage Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary is without doubt one of the largest single private collections of rural memorabilia to be found anywhere

Tipp Classical

CWB.IE IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVE AT SEMPLE STADIUM PRESENTS TIPP CLASSICAL Fri 20th & Sat 21st Sept 2019 Semple Stadium, Thurles, Tipperary Get The Gang

places of interest

thurles cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption is the mother church of the ecclesiastical province of Cashel and the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. It is not in its original site of the Rock of Cashel. This is due to the assumption of certain ecclesiastical properties by the established Church of Ireland at the time of the English Reformation. Instead, following the relaxation of the Penal Laws, the Roman Catholic Archbishop chose to locate his cathedra and residence in nearby Thurles. The present Cathedral of the Assumption stands on the site of earlier chapels in the centre of the town.

Work on the cathedral, with its Romanesque architectural style and its facade modelled on that of Pisa, commenced in 1865. It was consecrated by Archbishop Thomas Croke on 21/06/1879. The architect was J.J. McCarthy while Barry McMullen was the main builder. Mr. J.C Ashlin was responsible for the enclosing walls, railing and much of the finished work. The cathedral’s main features include a rose window, a free-standing baptistery and a magnificent altar. Particularly noteworthy is the tabernacle, the work of Giacomo della Porta, who was a pupil of Michelangelo. The cathedral was extensively renovated and the sanctuary sympathetically remodeled on the occasion of its centenary in 1979.

st. marys church

St. Mary’s church, belonging to the Church of Ireland, is built on the site of another pre-reformation church in Thurles. This structure was built by the Normans in the 12th century to provide them with a separate and more exclusive place of worship.

the source arts center

The Source Arts Centre opened on 2 October 2006 and has become the biggest music, theatre and arts venue in north Tipperary. It consists of a 250-seat auditorium with fully flexible seating, and a dedicated gallery space. The year-round programme of events includes film, theatre, dance, ballet, opera, music, family events and visual art exhibitions. Acts like Aslan, Foster and Allen, The Fureys are among the list to have played there. The Source Arts Centre opened its doors on 2nd October 2006 and has firmly established itself as one of the best live venues in the heart of the country. The Source Arts Centre comprises of a 250 seat theatre, visual art gallery, community studio space and café/bar. Set in the heart of Thurles town and on the banks of the River Suir, the arts centre has a year round programme of cultural events including theatre, live music, comedy, dance, art-house cinema, children’s theatre, youth arts and ballet. The Source shares a building with Thurles Library. The Source Gallery is a shared space programmed year round by both The Source Arts Centre and Thurles Library. The Source also boasts a café serving delicious homemade food and the best coffee in town! Mission Statement The Source Arts Centre aims to provide the people of Tipperary and its hinterlands with a cultural facility offering an engaging and diverse programme of events across many art forms. Alongside the presentation of professional, new and innovative work, and its commitment to developing a broad audience for the arts, The Source also has an open door policy to regional groups, encouraging interaction in the life of the centre through a variety of activities.

Farney Castle

As well as being the Cullen family home, Cyril Cullen Knitwear and porcelain is designed and produced in the converted ‘old stables’ in the castle courtyard. The unique parian/porcelain designs are sold in what was the old dairy at Farney castle, the knitwear boutique is situated in the original kitchen of the castle and a coffee shop is situated in the 15th century round tower.It is the only Round Tower in Ireland occupied as a family home. Tours of the castle are available daily and harp recitals take place in the drawing room by arrangement. The History of Farney Castle The first castle was built at Farney in 1185 and this would have been a timbered structure. The present round tower was built in 1495 by Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond, and it was part of a defensive system created by the Butlers to protect their land in Tipperary. The Butlers were in Farney Castle for 500 years but in 1536 the castle was confiscated by King Henry VIII of England. He returned the lands again to the Butlers in 1538 when he married Anne Boleyn who was the daughter of James, 3rd Earl of Ormond. Subsequently the castle was occupied for short periods by two other English monarchs namely King James 1st from 1617 – 1625, and King George 1st from 1716 -1721. In 1649 Cromwell landed in Ireland and shortly after 1650 a Cromwellian soldier named Hulett took over the castle. Then in 1660 Capt. William Armstrong, a Cavalier who supported the Stuarts and who fought against Cromwell, acquired the castle and lands, and there were Armstrongs in the castle for the next 200 years. William Armstrong came from a Scottish Border country family which was famed in the sixteenth century for its ferocity, and in 1677 he purchased large estates in the area including Holy Cross Abbey and Holy Cross lands.

Dwan Academy Performing Arts School

In our new Dwan Academy Performing Arts Studios on Parnell Street we provide Musical Theatre, Ballet and Hip Hop classes as well as private tuition

Farney Castle

Farney Castle is a wonderful, architecturally diverse building nestled in beautiful grounds surrounded by a myriad of ancient and rare trees. The medieval round tower

The Dancer’s Academy Of Performing Arts – DAPA

Thurles ~ County Tipperary Hip Hop, Ballet & Street Fusion Classes every Saturday at The Source Arts Centre, Thurles. (Above Library) Classes are for children

Poppin Productions

Poppin Productions is the brainchild of Eamonn B. Shanahan. Established in 2015, the creative production company was formed primarily to act as a platform for collaboration.

Black Castle

The Black Castle is the historic home of Lady Thurles. Situated in Liberty Square, it is another addition to the many historic places that are

Songschool

Songschool is for secondary school age students who are interested in writing and recording songs, performing them at an evening concert, making a music video,

Cruthaigh

Cruthaigh is an organisation aiming to promote creativity in Thurles. Their aim is to promote creating art, connections, and experiences. Cruthaigh means “to create” in

Phoenix Productions

Phoenix Productions was founded in 1998 to harness the obvious talent of the young people of Thurles. It is a non-profit organisation. Through the use

Fracture Youth Theatre

Fracture Youth Theatre is a youth theatre that operates in The Source Arts Centre. They take on teenagers for terms each year. Throughout the terms,

Thurles Camera Club

Our club is one of the oldest camera clubs in the country being formed in 1977. It is an amateur organisation which affords members an

Thurles Musical Society

Thurles Musical Society was formed in 1950 and has performed a full musical each year since, including a number of years with multiple productions. Affiliated

Theatre School

A combination of classes in drama, singing and dance for children aged 4 – 16 to get together in a supportive, fun and creative environment.

st. marys church

St. Mary’s church, belonging to the Church of Ireland, is built on the site of another pre-reformation church in Thurles. This structure was built by

the source arts centre

The Source Arts Centre opened its doors on 2nd October 2006 and has firmly established itself as one of the best live venues in the

cathedral of the assumption

The Cathedral is the fourth church to be built on this site. The first one recorded was a Carmelite church built in the early fourteenth century.

leonardo’s summer camp

Leonardo’s Camp is back offering a week of art-filled fun for kids. a week of unparalleled artiness for kids. Learn from the old masters to

Lar na Pairce

Fáilte. Welcome to Lár na Páirce, the first museum dedicated to telling the story of the Gaelic Games. Located in Thurles, the birthplace of the

Holycross Abbey

Holycross is a very special and sacred place where you can walk in the footsteps of ancient Monks. Experience firsthand, through local guides, the story

International Garden of Remembrance

St Mary’s in Thurles, County Tipperary dates back to 1292. It contains a garden with a series of memorials, including the original one, opened in

Tipperary Studies

Tipperary Studies is dedicated to documenting and preserving the County’s rich cultural, social, economic and sporting histories, and aims to offer open, friendly and easy

Cormackstown Heritage Centre

The Cormackstown Heritage Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary is without doubt one of the largest single private collections of rural memorabilia to be found anywhere

Tipp Classical

CWB.IE IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVE AT SEMPLE STADIUM PRESENTS TIPP CLASSICAL Fri 20th & Sat 21st Sept 2019 Semple Stadium, Thurles, Tipperary Get The Gang

Cultural, Arts and Recreation Organisations in Thurles

There is a tremendous vibrancy and community to life in Thurles – a wide range of clubs and organisations exist to provide an infrastructure for self development and expression.