Liberty Music Festival, now in its fourth year, at Thurles Town Park, offering a weekend of tribute band performances and community events. Organised by a committee led by local councillor Jim Ryan, the festival has become a notable event in Tipperary’s summer calendar, drawing 5,000 attendees daily. With all tickets sold out, visitors can expect a structured programme of music and activities, supported by local businesses and volunteers.
The Liberty Music Festival began in 2022 as a free event in Liberty Square, initiated by Cllr Jim Ryan, who sought to create a summer music festival to boost local tourism and showcase Thurles’ newly revamped square. Ryan, chair of the organising committee, worked with Tipperary County Council and the Municipal District, with financial and planning support from Sharon Scully, District Administrator, and Thomas Duffy. The inaugural event featured nine tribute bands and was praised for recreating the atmosphere of the historic ‘Trip to Tipp’ festivals. In 2023, the festival moved to Thurles Town Park due to safety concerns about traffic in Liberty Square, adopting a ticketed model. Since then, it has grown in scale, selling out annually and expanding to include camping facilities and a broader programme. The festival’s success has been attributed to the efforts of volunteers, local businesses, and organisations like the Order of Malta, Thurles Gardaí, and Ryan Brothers Ltd, who manage logistics such as security, cleaning, and sound.
The 2025 festival will feature 14 tribute acts across two days, with performances starting at 1:00pm and concluding around 10:00pm. Confirmed acts include Qween, a Queen tribute, Coldplace (Coldplay), and Waterloo (ABBA), with additional bands to be announced. Previous years included tributes to Bryan Adams, AC/DC, The Smiths, Cher, Madness, Fleetwood Mac, Meat Loaf, Bananarama, The Eagles, Bee Gees, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner, suggesting a similar variety for 2025. A music trail in local pubs will feature tribute bands and local artists, accessible without tickets, and a funfair in Liberty Square will offer activities for all ages.
Thurles Town Park, the festival’s venue, is fully accessible for those with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users. Four campsites at Thurles Gaels GAA, Thurles Rugby Club, Thurles Crokes, and Tipperary Equestrian Centre will accommodate nearly 1,000 campervans, caravans, and tents, all sold out for 2025. On-site facilities include full bar services, food stalls, and a funfair, but attendees are prohibited from bringing alcohol, glass, or plastic bottles, with bag checks enforced at entry points. Visitors must have tickets downloaded for scanning, as screenshots or paper ticket images may not be accepted.
The festival is expected to bring economic benefits to Thurles, with hotels and B&Bs fully booked and visitors arriving from across Ireland, England, Europe, and the US. Traffic measures include road closures on Emmett Street and Thomond Road from Saturday morning to Monday, with diversions via Liberty Square and Slievenamon Road. Public car parks are available at Parnell Street, Town Park, Munster Hotel, and Slievenamon Road, with pre-booked parking advised. Organisers recommend planning travel in advance due to expected congestion.
Community and Economic Impact
Visitors can expect a family-friendly atmosphere, with past attendees noting the festival’s appeal for all ages and its well-organised facilities, including grey and black water disposal and communal showers at campsites.
The Liberty Music Festival 2025 offers a straightforward music and entertainment experience in a community-focused setting. For updates, visit www.libertymusicfestival.ie.
