Thirty acts on fifteen stages over 4 days at the Rory Gallagher festival

One of the biggest International music festivals in Ireland is to take place this Bank Holiday weekend as thousands of blues rock music fans descend on Ballyshannon. Visitors from across the globe will unite to celebrate the late Rory Gallagher.

Seventy-four years ago Rory Gallagher was born at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon. Organisers confirmed this week that tickets for the festival big top concerts have sold in some twenty-four countries. The festival will host thirty acts on fifteen stages over four days, commencing Thursday, June 2 and continuing to the late hours of Sunday night, June 5.  

Only two more sleeps till the Rory Fest!
The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival - 2nd to 5th June 2022. 30 Acts on 15 Stages over 4 Days in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. https://t.co/pTeABwB1bj @RoryFest pic.twitter.com/Z308WK3Y70

— Rory Gallagher (@rorygallagher) May 31, 2022

The stellar line-up of thirty blues rock acts includes Rory Gallagher’s band members with 'Band of Friends' featuring Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill, top American blues performer Eric Gales and HisBand, the legendary Bernie Marsden from 'Whitesnake,' the great American Blues Rock guitarist – Walter Trout and his band, the Belfast female Rocking duo 'Dea Matrona.' The Mama's Boy's legend - Pat McManus and his band, festival favourites 'Johnny Gallagher and the Boxtie Band,' Cork blues outfit 'Crow Black Chicken' and Sligo virtuoso Seamie O'Dowd and his band.

There will be Wild Atlantic sessions at the fabulous Rory Gallagher Statue, pub sessions, outdoor street gigs, busking, festival camping and the nightly big top concerts.  

Donal Gallagher, brother of the Late Rory Gallagher said: "It's a fantastic tribute to Rory, he would be so proud with this wonderful gathering of not alone his followers that witnessed him perform many times, but there is a generation of new fans, young artists, young performers that are keeping Rory’s legacy alive. It’s over 70 years since Rory entered the world at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon, he would be very shocked but honoured to witness this festival in his honour”.  

Organisers are expecting over 7,000 blues rock fans to converge on Ballyshannon for the event with a packed programme. There will be a gig in the grounds of the Rock Hospital where Rory was born in 1948.  

You can bid for a white label copy of Rory's Wheels Within Wheels album @WhiteLabelAuct https://t.co/6DPLrOKjAQ
'Biggest ever White Label Auction to take place on 7 June 2022. Around 170 lots of collectible LP album and 7” single test pressings to go under the hammer. pic.twitter.com/rOnSIAOWXK

— Rory Gallagher (@rorygallagher) May 30, 2022

Head of festivals at Fáilte Ireland, Ciara Sugrue said: “Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support this year’s The Rory Gallagher Festival as it returns to Ballyshannon. Music festivals such as this are a brilliant opportunity for visitors to experience what Ireland’s arts, heritage and culture have to offer as well as the best of Donegal and The Wild Atlantic Way. Festivals and events are a key component of Ireland's tourism offering and they provide unique and compelling reasons for a visitor to choose a destination. They also have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, supporting jobs and revenue generation. Festivals such as The Rory Gallagher Festival plays an important role in the recovery of the tourism sector for Ballyshannon and its surrounding areas.”

This is an event that people say needs to be experienced. A trip to Ballyshannon this Bank Holiday weekend is highly recommended and while the Rory Gallagher Festival is now well established, there is no sign of its appeal and attraction fading as fans and Blues Rock enthusiasts continue to make this unique annual pilgrimage in their thousands. All Festival Details are available on http://www. rorygallagherfestival.com.

Speaking ahead of the festival, blues legend, Walter Trout said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be performing at Rory's festival in Ballyshannon. We are really excited. Rory was one of the all-time greats and he inspired many to follow, we are so excited to be returning to Ireland”.