Head to the Wild Atlantic Way for an electric festival that celebrates Ireland’s guitar hero Rory Gallagher.
The small town of Ballyshannon in County Donegal will be rocking to the sound of guitar riffs when the Rory Gallagher International Festival strikes up in May (29 to 1 June). The birthplace of the legendary blues and rock guitarist celebrates its famous son in the annual event that attracts over 10,000 fans from around the world.
The festival will feature 30 acts over four days with both free street performances and ticketed Big Top gigs. Internationally acclaimed headline acts include four-time Grammy winner Jimmie Vaughan, Band of Friends which includes some of Gallagher’s band members, Nine below Zero and the Rory Gallagher All-star Band.
Ballyshannon is said to be Ireland’s oldest town and picturesque architectural heritage graces its historic streets. These streets have many links to Gallagher and some of the festival’s outdoor performances will take place against the backdrop of the guitarist’s images that adorn the town’s gables and in the square where a life-size statue stands. Other performances will be in the Rory Gallagher Theatre, the Rock Hospital where he was born and in pubs across the town.
The festival is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and the opportunity for Gallagher fans to meet with others that revere the guitarist’s talent and legacy. The 2025 festival will mark the 30th anniversary of Gallagher’s death and will be an emotional experience for many fans who make the yearly pilgrimage to the tribute event to remember the guitarist who influenced the likes of Brian May from Queen and the Edge from U2.
Before or after the festival, it’s well worth driving the short distance to Bundoran, one of Donegal’s most popular seaside towns, and on further to Mullaghmore, a gorgeous bay overlooked by an eighteenth-century castle. Glencar Waterfall, one of Ireland’s top reviewed sites on Google, is also nearby.
Two other cities on the island of Ireland have strong connections to Rory Gallagher. In Cork, where Rory grew up, Rory Gallagher Place features a sculpture by Cork artist Geraldine Creedon, who was a friend of the legend. It depicts a guitar intertwined with lyrics from some of Gallagher’s songs. And in Belfast, a recently unveiled statue outside the Ulster Hall in Belfast recalls his many performances in the iconic music venue and his fondness for the city.
