When Next We Meet Festival – announces first headline acts.- The Waterboys, Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill

When Next We Meet, one of Ireland’s most compelling small festivals, has announced its return for 2026, taking place over the June Bank Holiday weekend from Friday May 29th to Sunday May 31st on the grounds of Raheen House, Clonmel.

Now in its fifth year, the artist-led festival has steadily built a national reputation for thoughtful curation, intimate scale and a strong commitment to supporting original music. Set within the 3.5-acre Georgian estate of Raheen House, When Next We Meet offers an alternative festival experience that prioritises connection and atmosphere.

The first artists announced for the 2026 edition include The Waterboys, who will headline on Sunday May 31st. Led by Mike Scott, the genre-defying Scottish-Irish band are renowned for a catalogue that spans rock, folk and Celtic traditions, with landmark songs including The Whole of the Moon and Fisherman Blues. Their appearance marks a significant international booking for the festival, underscoring its growing profile.

Also confirmed are Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill, who will perform together as part of the weekend programme on Saturday May 30th. Their acclaimed collaborative album, 2021’s In the Game, was met with widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and vocal interplay. Joined by a full band, the pair will bring material from the record alongside pieces from their respective catalogues.

Originally capped at 400 attendees per night, When Next We Meet has grown carefully and intentionally, now welcoming 800 people per evening while retaining the close-knit, listening-led experience that has defined it since the start.

The Tipperary based festival has become known as a meaningful platform outside of Ireland’s major urban settings, offering artists and audiences a meaningful weekend of connection. Previous editions have featured acclaimed Irish artists including Ye Vagabonds, Bell X1, Villagers, Lisa Hannigan, Daithí, Talos and more, alongside exciting emerging voices and cult favourites.

The 2026 edition will gently unfold across three days, beginning with a soft launch on Friday May 29th, followed by two full programme days on Saturday May 30th and Sunday May 31st.

Further line-up announcements will follow.

When Next We Meet Returns in 2026

The Waterboys, Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill Announced as Headline Acts

June Bank Holiday Weekend, Raheen House, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Earlybird tickets are available at whennextwemeet.ie

photo credit – Alan Robinson