A packed line-up of events is planned for Applefest event in Tipperary

Clonmel Applefest supporters and friends were treated to a feast of delicious food and excellent live music by Clonmel youth band Static Haze last Saturday under the Arches of the Main Guard.

The crowd cheered as Mia and her band performed some well-known classics including the Cranberries’ favourite Zombie. Delicious juice from the Apple Farm was also on hand.

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With a programme packed full of lively events, the festival will kick off on Thursday 25th September with the launch of its fifth book centering this year around the stories of ten Clonmel families and which includes family portraits by John Kelly.

This will be followed by the always popular Clonmel Storyslam, hosted by Joe Whelan, on this year’s theme of ‘the ties that bind’. In between the Clonmel Camera Club will launch their exhibition at the Narrow Space Gallery.
Friday will see storytelling at the Presentation Primary school, two cooking masterclasses by Sinead Delahunty on seasonal jam-making and Antje Huth on grains, flour and the secret of good bread baking.

In the evening, a talk by ecologist Eanna nī Lamhna at the Main Guard and a world music double bill at Gleeson’s Pub with the Festival Band in Residence Sun Merchant will close the day.

Saturday 27 September will be dedicated to the very popular Harvest Fair at Kickham Plaza with multiple arts and craft activity stands, community stalls on hedgerows, the circular economy and& textile waste, Muslim Culture and community apple-pressing for which everyone is invited to bring apples.

Performances will feature choirs, bands and Ceili dance demonstration and not to forget the junior and senior Bake - off competitions. The day will finish with our delightful musical wine and food soirée hosted by the Hub café, compered by Owen Lonergan from Tipp FM.

Sunday will see walks on medicinal plants at Greenane and family yoga & mindfulness at Mulcahy Park, afternoon jazz at the recently opened Ted’s restaurant on Parnell Street, a Pecha Kucha – 8 artists presenting their work in a quick-fired 6 minutes and 40 seconds – and to finish off a busy week-end, the Burning Cave, an electronic Spoken Word cabaret at Channon’s Forge on Anglesea Street.

The Festival director, Theresia Guschlbauer, thanked the assembled crowd and acknowledged the precious contributions of funders, partners, artists and sponsors without which the event would not be possible.
She particularly thanked the Arts Council of Ireland, Tipperary County Council and Creative Ireland for their ongoing support and the valuable financial support of this year’s sponsors, all of which are local businesses: Camida, Clonmel Credit Union, John Shee & co solicitors, Artisan Frames, Westgate Dental, Scotts Ryan solicitors, Barbara Russell catering, Abarta Heritage and James Whelan Butchers.

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In addition to this, numerous partners included all the venues, organisations and groups who in one way or another are supporting the event were acknowledged.

Brochures and fliers can be obtained in most cafés in town as well as the library, tourist office and the Main Guard. Details on events and tickets can be found on the festival website at www.clonmelapplefest.ie and on social media. We hope to see you at many of our events!