Circling the Square

Circling the Square, now in its fifth year, runs at The Source Arts Centre in Thurles on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at 7.45pm.

What to expect

The festival weaves poetry readings together with live jazz, classical and traditional music across the evening. This year’s line-up brings together poets Vona Groarke, Dean Browne, Leontia Flynn, John Kelly, Martina Evans and Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, performing alongside musicians from the Ed Dwan Quartet, the Daniel Byrne Ensemble and Emma Roche. Rather than separating readings and music into different slots, the format seams the two together through the evening, giving it a different feel to a standard poetry reading or a standard concert. The venue bills it as “an enticing mixture of the best poets in the country reading their work, interspersed with music across several genres, including jazz, classical, and traditional,” and this is the fifth year of the festival. Tickets are €20 full price, with a €15 concession for seniors and students.

Getting there

The Source Arts Centre is on Cathedral Street in Thurles town centre, within easy walking distance of the train station. Thurles sits on the main Dublin to Cork rail line, and Bus Éireann services also serve the town, making the evening straightforward to reach by public transport.

While you’re in Thurles

Thurles is the home of Tipperary GAA and one of the county’s most historic towns, with the Cathedral of the Assumption and a lively market-town centre worth a look before or after the festival. There is more to see in Thurles and across Co. Tipperary.

Good to know

• Date and time: Saturday, 17 October 2026, 7.45pm
• Venue: The Source Arts Centre, Cathedral Street, Thurles
• Price: €20 full price, €15 senior and student
• Line-up: poets Vona Groarke, Dean Browne, Leontia Flynn, John Kelly, Martina Evans and Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, with the Ed Dwan Quartet, Daniel Byrne Ensemble and Emma Roche
• Details from The Source Arts Centre website, checked 14 September 2026