Date:
Saturday, July 4
Until:
Sunday, 5th July
Time:
8am - 5pm
Venue:
Streets & Riverbanks of Clonmel
Suitability:
Ages 18+
Ticketing Info:
General: €30
Plein Air
Clonmel Junction Arts Festival is hosting our inaugural Plein Air as part of the exciting programme of music, visual arts, theatre, dance, street spectacle, talks, film and workshops.
The Plein Air will be held on Saturday, 4th and Sunday, 5th July 2026 and includes:
- Workshops for well-seasoned as well as beginner Plein Air participants (additional fee applies)
- Paint-outs in Clonmel, as well as Carrick, Cashel and Cahir
- An opportunity to paint with other artists in Clonmel and other locations, including stunning OPW sites, within a 30-minute drive
- Pizza party with complimentary food in Gleeson’s, Irishtown (Clonmel) on Saturday 4th July with live music
- Competition with prizes for Gold, Silver, Bronze and People’s Choice awarded on Sunday, 5th July (all entries to be received by 5 pm)
- The Gold Prize winner will be offered an editioned print run of their painting and a framed copy of their work (up to a value of €500) sponsored by Artisan Frames
- People’s Choice Prize is kindly sponsored by The Narrow Space
- Exhibition at linn gallery, 1st Floor, The Narrow Space, Mitchell St, Clonmel, E91 RW24 from Tuesday 7th July to Saturday 5th September
- Access to the hospitality and cultural programme for the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival
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Event Details
Each morning of the Plein Air (generally between 9–10 am) you will arrive at the Abbey Street Car Park in Clonmel to register for the paint-out. The Clonmel Junction Arts Festival staff and volunteers will stamp your canvas or your watercolour paper for that day’s painting. On the first morning of the Plein Air (Saturday 4th July) you will also collect your welcome pack.
After getting your board/paper stamped you can then travel to your chosen location for the morning, stopping for lunch to discuss your morning with your fellow artists.
If you have signed up to do one of the workshops on the morning of 4th July when registering, you will also be given a bib and further information. You will then travel to the location of your workshop and meet the workshop tutor and fellow artists.
After lunch you can either continue with your painting from the morning or begin a new one.
Late in the afternoon at around 5pm you gather with your fellow artists to display your unframed work on your easel at the Abbey Street Car Park (weather permitting – with an alternative location communicated by WhatsApp if required).
On Sunday 5th July there will be a competition (all entries to be submitted by 5pm to Abbey Street Car Park) with prize-giving at 6.30pm.
Work that is registered for the exhibition will be taken at 6.30pm on Sunday 5th July to the linn gallery, with the exhibition opening at 6pm on Tuesday 7th July.
With the Plein Air taking place during Clonmel Junction Arts Festival there are plenty of opportunities during the weekend for social gatherings, live music and entertainment and a chance for artists to get together and chat.
If you wish to register for the exhibition, please download and print off the form sent to you on completing registration. Alternatively, you can collect a form from the registration tent at the Abbey Street Car Park, Clonmel or the linn gallery on 1st Floor, The Narrow Space, Mitchell St, Clonmel, E91 RW24. Gallery Price is inclusive of 30% commission and a maximum of two paintings per artist may be submitted. Registration for the exhibition will close at 5pm on Sunday 5th July. If you have any questions, please email info@junctionfestival.com
Exhibition Installation
linn gallery on 1st Floor, The Narrow Space, Mitchell St, Clonmel, E91 RW24
Monday 6th July – Tuesday 7th July
Exhibition Opens
linn gallery on 1st Floor, The Narrow Space, Mitchell St, Clonmel, E91 RW24
Tuesday 7th July (evening) – Saturday 5th September
Hotel Minella
Hotel Minella is an elegantly furnished country house on the banks of the River Suir, close to Clonmel town centre and bordered by the Comeragh Mountains.
Hotel Minella and Leisure Centre have individually designed and decorated rooms. The oak-panelled restaurant has garden views and is renowned for excellent food.
Club Minella Leisure facilities have a 20 Meter Swimming pool, an outdoor Canadian Hot Tub, gym, sauna and a steam room overlooking the River Suir. Spa treatments are also available.
Visit www.hotelminella.com
Talbot Hotel
Located only 5 minutes’ drive from Clonmel town, this 4-Star modern hotel boasts chic, contemporary guest rooms with award-winning Leisure facilities.
Their multi-award-winning conference & banqueting facilities can cater for up to 500 people, with free Wi-Fi & ample free parking. The Poppyfield retail park and shops are just a stroll away.
Visit www.talbothotelclonmel.ie
Raheen House
This beautiful old Georgian house from 1832 has views of the River Suir, and 3.5 acres of gardens at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains.
Raheen House offers three categories of rooms:
– Classic
– Superior
– Deluxe
As well as a beautiful two-bedroom gate lodge.
Each bedroom at Raheen House is individually restored and decorated using natural materials.
The Buffalo bar and lounge is at the heart of Raheen House Hotel, and has an open log fire and view of the gardens.
Visit www.raheenhouse.ie
Suir Island Aire
Easily accessible from main roads yet pleasantly quiet, park your campervan on the level, hard-standing campervan parking and soak in the breathtaking views of the Comeragh mountains. Need supplies? A 5-minute walk puts you at the doorstep of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, the town park, and even a leisure centre with a pool!
This site has 18 parking spaces, fresh water for refilling tanks, a designated waste disposal point for greywater and chemical toilets, and regularly emptied waste bins.
It costs €10 to park for 24 hours and can be purchased at the pay and display machine (tap option available) conveniently located beside the facilities or online.
Visit www.munstervales.com/en/plan-a-trip/clonmel-aire-campervan-site
By registering for Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s Plein Air you accept these Terms and Conditions
By participating in the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival (CJAF) Plein Air, you are agreeing to abide by all rules, decisions, and instructions that are communicated to you by the CJAF organisers. Their decision in all matters is final. All participants must be at least 18 years of age.
On arrival, you will receive a welcome pack and a personalised lanyard which must be worn while participating in workshops and paint-outs. These can be collected in The Platform (Showgrounds Shopping Centre Clonmel, Unit 12A, opposite Regatta), or will be distributed at your first workshop. Participants in workshops will be provided with high-viz jackets to be worn for the duration of the workshop, so your tutor can identify you and provide guidance as necessary.
Paint-outs will be organised on Sunday 5th July in designated locations, led by a local or guest artist. Participants will be provided with a map of potential locations. The location for paint-outs each day will be confirmed via the CJAF Plein Air WhatsApp group. The paint-out is an opportunity to paint out in the company of fellow artists – not a workshop.
Registering for CJAF Plein Air means that you accept that the organisers and/or their agents can take photographs/video of you and your work for the purpose of promoting the CJAF Plein Air through websites and social media and in print media. None will be used for commercial or merchandising purposes without your permission.
Participating artists allow the use of their contact details including email and phone numbers to be used for the purposes of communication regarding the CJAF Plein Air on all messaging applications. This information will not be made available to any other 3rd party.
Please note that workshops are subject to sufficient enrolment, and we reserve the right to cancel and provide a full refund if necessary.
Plein air artists leave no trace, so please make sure to take away all refuse with you and dispose of it responsibly. Please use reusable water bottles in lieu of plastic bottles. Refilling will be possible in workshop venues.
All paintings must be painted on location from observation without printed photographic references, within the general areas indicated for the CJAF Plein Air workshops and paint-outs.
Artists must at all times be courteous and mannerly when dealing with fellow artists, the public, and organising committee or persons acting on behalf of the committee.
Submissions for the competition and exhibition are juried by a team appointed by the organisers. Their decision in making these awards is final. A maximum of one award will be made to any artist.
Before setting up to paint, please take time to assess the potential hazards that your location may present. Please ensure that you carry and site your equipment in a safe manner for yourself and others. Do not block footpaths or exits; leave room for others to pass without stepping onto the road. Keep well away from the edge of the quay/river. Alert a Clonmel Junction Arts Festival steward in the event of any accident and follow his/her instructions.
Clonmel Junction Arts Festival bears no responsibility for loss or injury to persons or property arising from participation in this event.
The Health and Safety plan is available for inspection at The Platform (Showgrounds Shopping Center Clonmel, Unit 12A, opposite Regatta) or on request by emailing info@junctionfestival.com
All communications in advance of the weekend will be to/from info@junctionfestival.com
All communications during the weekend will be by WhatsApp only.
Information can also be sought at The Platform (Showgrounds Shopping Centre, Clonmel, Unit 12A, opposite Regatta).
WhatsApp groups will be set up:
– for general messages about the weekend
– for individual workshops – to share details and work
How to start Plein Air painting with Marine Kearney
