Board of Directors

John Kennedy (Chairperson)

John has a BA in Fine Art from Crawford College of Art and Design and is apracticing painter working from his studio in Clonmel.  He is currently participating ina post graduate correspondence course in Painting and Professional Practicethrough Turps School in London. He also has a BA in Quality Management &Technology from IT Sligo and works as a Project Manager/Manufacturing Engineerat Abbott Vascular Clonmel. John is immersed in the visual arts and exhibits his work regularly through solo and group exhibitions around the country, and has alsocurated group exhibitions.

Deirdre Grogan (Secretary)

Originally from Belfast Deirdre has lived in Clonmel for the last 20 years where sheworks for a pharmaceutical company. Both Deirdre’s father and brother were actorsand her sister had an art gallery in Belfast: this has given her an active interest inboth the visual and performing arts for many years. Deirdre has enjoyed many amemorable performance at the Junction Festival over the years and was delighted tojoin the Board in 2017.

Jimmy Kearns (Treasurer)

Jimmy is a former AIB Branch Manager who has lived in Clonmel since 1999. An ative of Birr, Co. Offaly, he has over 40 years experience in the financial servicessector. He is currently a self employed Business Mentor working with LocalEnterprise Offices in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford, among other business interests. Jimmy has a keen interest in music and cinema and is a current member ofClonmel Rugby Football Club choir. He has been a supporter of the Junction Festival since its inception in 2001 and enjoys the creativity involved in live theatre performances.

Ricky Fitzgerald

Owner of Curtains & Blinds since 1981, a former President of Clonmel Lions Club, a member of the Tipperary Light Car and Motorcycle Club and a past President of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, Ricky has sponsored and been a fan of the Festival since its inception. He is looking forward to bringing another successfulFestival to the town in 2024.

Bess Hughes

Bess ran a music venue for 20 years in Clonmel. She has always had a keen interestin the arts and has been an active member of the Board of Directors.

Áine Ryan

Áine Ryan is a solicitor with Binchy Law Solicitors, Clonmel. Originally from Newport,Co. Tipperary, Áine has lived and worked in Clonmel for 25 years. Áine has a great interest in the Arts and particularly enjoys attending theatre and live music events. Áine joined the Board in 2020.

Mark Hanratty

Mark Hanratty, a technical manager, moved to Clonmel almost 30 years ago to work in Bulmer's, where he spent 21 years; and has attended many arts events in the area since then, taking a particularly keen interest in visual art, music and comedy.He is a previous Chairman of the board of South Tipperary Arts Centre, and former board member of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce. He has been attending theJunction arts festival since its foundation in 2001 and looks forward to the 2024 festival with great enthusiasm.

Shannon Forrest

Shannon Forrest is Co-Founder of Rívesci and also hosts NeighbourFood Clonmel from their HQ in Irishtown. Shannon believes in giving back to the community in which we live, work and thrive in and is delighted to have been asked to join the Board in 2022. Previously a Volunteer at CJAF in 2014, Shannon looks forward to being an active Board member. TheArts are very close to her heart and she can often be seen at many and myriad gigs, poetry readings, exhibitions and much more. With a BA (Hons) Marketing her career has been mainly in Retail, Tourism and most recently the Food industry, where adapting to ever changing environments keeps her on her toes.

Dermot Barry Walsh