Stretch Tent Hire Waterford – 20x15m Installation at Mount Melleray Abbey Opening
Some installations are particularly special, and our latest project at Mount Melleray Abbey in Co. Waterford is certainly one of them.
Stretch Tents Ireland was delighted to provide a 20x15m stretch tent for the opening celebrations at Mount Melleray Abbey, near Cappoquin, as the historic site begins a new chapter in partnership with Ave Maria University.
Our installation created 300m² of covered outdoor event space at one of Ireland's best-known historic religious sites.
For our team, this project demonstrates how a large stretch tent can provide practical event infrastructure at an established venue while complementing its surroundings.
From major opening ceremonies to corporate events, university functions and private celebrations, we provide professional stretch tent hire in Waterford and throughout Ireland.
A Historic Opening at Mount Melleray Abbey
Mount Melleray Abbey, located in the Knockmealdown Mountains near Cappoquin, has been part of West Waterford's history since the 1830s.
After almost two centuries as a Cistercian monastery, the abbey closed in January 2025 following the relocation of its monastic community.
The site is now entering a new chapter through a partnership between the Cistercian community and Florida-based Ave Maria University, which is establishing an Ireland study-abroad programme at Mount Melleray.
The opening celebrations include a special Mass on 20 September 2026, celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, with university representatives, invited guests and members of the local community attending.
More than 1,000 people were expected for the occasion.
Being involved in an event of this significance, at a venue with such a long history, made this a memorable installation for Stretch Tents Ireland.
Read more about the event:
Our 20x15m Stretch Tent Installation
For the Mount Melleray opening, our team supplied and installed a 20x15m stretch tent, providing a nominal canopy footprint of 300m².
This is one of our larger and most versatile tent sizes, making it suitable for substantial outdoor gatherings and events requiring a generous covered area.
A 20x15m stretch tent can be configured for a range of uses, including:
Opening ceremonies and official events
University and institutional functions
Corporate hospitality
Wedding receptions
Outdoor dining
Festival hospitality
Community celebrations
Private functions
For this project, the tent provided a substantial covered structure within the historic abbey setting.
Its flexible design allowed us to create a distinctive temporary event space without relying on the appearance of a conventional enclosed marquee.
Creating 300m² of Covered Event Space
Large outdoor events require careful consideration of guest comfort, site layout and weather protection.
A 20x15m stretch tent provides a substantial covered footprint that can be configured around the requirements of an individual event.
For an opening ceremony or large gathering, that flexibility is particularly valuable.
The structure can provide a defined event area while retaining the open atmosphere of the surrounding location.
Depending on the layout and intended use, a tent of this size can accommodate dining, hospitality, standing gatherings or other event activities.
Actual guest capacity depends on the seating arrangement, access requirements and event configuration.
At Mount Melleray Abbey, our installation demonstrated how a large stretch tent can create a functional temporary space at an established venue.
Stretch Tents for Historic Venues and Established Buildings
One of the biggest advantages of stretch tents is their flexibility.
Unlike conventional temporary structures, stretch tents can be configured to suit a wide variety of sites, subject to appropriate anchoring, ground conditions and installation requirements.
This makes them particularly useful for:
Historic properties
Hotels and country estates
University campuses
Cultural venues
Courtyards
Gardens
Outdoor hospitality areas
At venues with existing buildings and distinctive surroundings, the objective is to create practical covered space without losing the character of the location.
Our team has experience installing stretch tents at hotels, estates, hospitality venues and historic event sites throughout Ireland.
The Mount Melleray project is another example of that work.
Experience in Large-Scale Event Installations
Stretch Tents Ireland has more than a decade of experience working in the Irish events industry.
Our work includes large festival structures, corporate installations, wedding venues, outdoor hospitality areas and permanent or semi-permanent stretch tent solutions.
Recent projects have included Blackwater Valley Opera at Lismore Castle, Kaleidoscope Festival, Beyond The Pale, Fuinneamh Festival and major hospitality installations throughout Ireland.
Every site presents its own challenges.
Some require large structures across open ground. Others involve existing buildings, restricted access or specific installation schedules.
Our team works around the requirements of each project to provide a suitable structure and professional installation.
For larger events, we can also supply multiple stretch tents across the same site.
Stretch Tent Hire in Waterford and Across Ireland
Although Stretch Tents Ireland is based in West Cork, our installation crews operate nationwide.
We provide stretch tent hire throughout Waterford, Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin, Galway, Kerry and beyond.
Our services cover everything from individual event structures to large installations for festivals, businesses and hospitality venues.
Depending on the project, we can provide:
Large stretch tent hire
Professional installation and derig
Clear and solid wall systems
Flooring
Festoon lighting
Event lighting
Sound equipment
Permanent and semi-permanent stretch tent installations
For businesses and venues looking to purchase their own structure, we also supply new and used stretch tents throughout Ireland.
Large Stretch Tents for Corporate Events and Opening Ceremonies
The Mount Melleray Abbey installation is a great example of how stretch tents can be used for events beyond weddings and festivals.
A large stretch tent can provide additional covered space for an organisation hosting an important occasion.
Potential applications include:
Official opening ceremonies
University events
Corporate launches
Press and media events
Awards ceremonies
Business hospitality
Community gatherings
Private celebrations
Our 20x15m stretch tent is particularly suitable for events requiring a substantial covered footprint.
With different sizes and configurations available, we can work with organisers to develop a structure suited to the event and its location.
Planning an Outdoor Event for 2027?
We're already taking enquiries for weddings, festivals, corporate events and private functions in 2027.
If you're planning a large event, discussing your structure requirements early gives more time to consider the site, tent size, installation arrangements and any additional equipment.
Whether you're organising an opening ceremony at a historic venue, a corporate event in Waterford or a festival elsewhere in Ireland, our team can help you plan the covered space.
Proud to Be Part of the Mount Melleray Abbey Opening
We're delighted to have supplied our 20x15m stretch tent for the opening celebrations at Mount Melleray Abbey in Co. Waterford.
With almost 200 years of history behind it, the abbey is entering an important new chapter, and we're proud that our installation could form part of the occasion.
Providing 300m² of covered event space at such a distinctive location is exactly the type of project we enjoy.
From historic venues and university functions to major festivals and corporate events, Stretch Tents Ireland provides professional stretch tent installations throughout the country.
Planning an outdoor event? Contact Stretch Tents Ireland to discuss your requirements and request a quotation.
Comments