RORY GALLAGHER FESTIVAL

For the second year running The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has scooped a major award for the Best Festival in Ireland (in the Medium crowd size section with crowds of 10,000-30,000).  (Electric Picnic took the award for the best large festival ~ crowds of over 30,000.)

Rory Gallagher statue, Ballyshannon

Rory Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal in 1948 and achieved world wide fame.  From our WeLoveDonegal.com website:

 "Musician and songwriter.  Formed the band 'Taste' in the late '60s.  In 1971 he was voted (ahead of Eric Clapton) Melody Maker's International Top Musician of the Year.  His albums have sold over 30 millions copies worldwide.  He died in London after developing complications following a liver transplant."

In 2010 a bronze statue, the work of sculptor David Annand was unveiled in Ballyshannon town centre (the photographs on this blog post are of that statue).  In Dublin's Temple Bar there is a place named 'Rory Gallagher Corner' and under the sign hangs a bronze replica of his Stratocaster guitar.

Along with large crowds, the festival has attracted some great musicians over the years including Rory's band, Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy) and Bernie Mardsen (Whitesnake) to name a few.  The festival is 10 years old this year so the Award is a great way for the Rory Gallagher Festival organisers to celebrate in style!

This year's festival will run between Thursday, 31 May and Sunday, 3 June.  Details can be found on the festival's site HERE and the organisers have, for the first time, a large events tent planned which will hold around 1,000 thereby allowing them to bring even bigger acts this year.


Rory Gallagher 1948 ~ 1995