<![CDATA[RORY GALLAGHER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - BALLYSHANNON, CO. DONEGAL, IRELAND - Latest Festival News]]>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 22:35:50 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Rory Gallagher Festival & Rockathon - National Stadium - 31st October 2026]]>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:07:22 GMThttps://www.rorygallagherfestival.com/latest-festival-news1/rory-gallagher-festival-rockathon-national-stadium-31st-october-2026National Stadium, Dublin | Saturday 31st October 2026 | 3.00pm – 11.00pm (Doors Open at 2pm) 
Two Great Irish Music Festivals. Six Outstanding Acts. One Great Day
The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival and the Rockathon Music Festival have announced a landmark collaboration that will see the two festivals unite to present One Great Day, an iconic one-off celebration of Irish rock music at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday 31st October 2026. 

The event marks the first initiative under the banner Irish Rock Music Festivals Together, bringing together six outstanding acts from two of Ireland's leading rock music festivals for what promises to be one of Ireland's most unique live music events of 2026.

Tickets for this very special fundraising day are available now:
https://gr8events.ie/rockathon-rory-fundraiser

Both the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival and the Rockathon Music Festival were severely impacted by the collapse of Tickets.ie, the Irish ticketing company that folded just hours after both festivals had successfully concluded in early June 2026. The collapse resulted in the loss of virtually all of their online ticketing income.
For the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, the loss represented almost 70% of the Festival's annual income, placing enormous financial pressure on one of Ireland's best-known international music festivals.
Since then, both festivals have stood shoulder to shoulder, working together through the ongoing liquidation proceedings before the Irish High Court while also championing the interests of independent music festivals throughout Ireland.

Now, that unity moves from the courtroom to the concert stage. Rather than allowing adversity to define them, the two festivals have chosen to create something positive, an unforgettable day celebrating the artists, audiences, volunteers and communities who make Irish live music so special. One Great Day is far more than a fundraising concert. It is a celebration of resilience, collaboration and the enduring spirit of independent music festivals.

A Unique Line-up --- The National Stadium will host six exceptional acts spanning blues rock, classic rock, heavy metal, alternative rock and grunge. 

The confirmed line-up is - 
  • Band of Friends featuring Gerry McAvoy & Brendan O'Neill
  • Whiplash – Ireland's Metallica Tribute
  • Pat McManus Band with very special guests Barry Devlin & Jim Lockhart (from Horslips)
  • Rugged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette Tribute
  • The Zac Schulze Gang
  • The Year Grunge Broke
Together, these artists represent generations of outstanding musicians and celebrate the diversity and strength of the Irish rock music scene while welcoming acclaimed international performers.

Tickets for this very special fundraising day are available now - 
https://gr8events.ie/rockathon-rory-fundraiser

A Return to an Iconic Stage

For the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, this one day of music represents much more than a fundraising event. It is a return to one of the most iconic venues in Rory Gallagher's extraordinary career. Rory Gallagher was a regular performer at Dublin's National Stadium, where he delivered many unforgettable concerts throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Sharing the stage with him on many of those memorable occasions were his long-time bandmates Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill, whose performances became part of the venue's rich musical heritage.

Now, decades later, as the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival faces the greatest challenge in its history, Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill return to the National Stadium with Band of Friends, bringing Rory's music back to a venue where it inspired generations of Irish music fans.

The occasion is made even more significant by the return of musicians whose own careers are closely intertwined with the National Stadium. Horslips, one of Ireland's most influential rock bands, created many memorable nights at the famous venue, while Mama's Boys, fronted by Pat McManus, also played an important part in its proud history.
On Saturday 31st October 2026, Barry Devlin, Jim Lockhart and Pat McManus will once again grace the National Stadium stage alongside Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill for what promises to be a truly historic and emotional occasion.

For many attending, this one day event will be much more than a concert. It will be a celebration of Ireland's rock music heritage, a tribute to the musicians who helped shape it, and a powerful reminder that the spirit of live music continues to unite people across generations. The National Stadium has witnessed countless legendary performances throughout its history. It promises to take its place among them.

Voices Behind the Collaboration 

Barry O'Neill, Chairperson and Founder of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival said - 
"When Tickets.ie collapsed, we had a choice. We could allow it to define us, or we could respond positively. Together with Rockathon Music Festival, we've chosen to unite through music. This one day fusion is about resilience, friendship and ensuring independent festivals continue to have a future. Returning to the National Stadium, where Rory Gallagher created so many unforgettable memories, makes this event even more special. We hope music fans from across Ireland and beyond will join us for what promises to be a truly historic occasion". 

Kellie McGuane, Rockathon Music Festival said -  "Independent festivals are the heartbeat of Ireland's live music scene. They create opportunities for artists, bring communities together and showcase the very best of Irish music. This collaboration proves that when festivals work together, we are stronger together than we could ever be apart. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival to present a magnificent show and celebrate everything that independent festivals represent". 

The organisers hope the event will become a defining moment of solidarity within the Irish music industry, demonstrating what can be achieved when festivals unite behind a common purpose. Independent festivals make a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural and economic life. They provide opportunities for artists, attract visitors from around the world, support local businesses, sustain employment and create vibrant communities across the country. 

By supporting this one day event, music fans will not only experience an extraordinary day of live music but will also help support two much loved Irish festivals as they continue their fight for the future.

Presented by Irish Rock Music Festivals Together 
📍 National Stadium, Dublin
📅 Saturday 31st October 2026
🕒 3.00pm – 11.00pm

Featuring
  • Band of Friends featuring Gerry McAvoy & Brendan O'Neill
  • Whiplash – Ireland's Metallica Tribute
  • Pat McManus Band with very special guests Barry Devlin & Jim Lockhart (from Horslips)
  • Rugged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette Tribute
  • The Zac Schulze Gang
  • The Year Grunge Broke

Tickets On Sale Now --- Tickets for this very special fundraising day are available now:
https://gr8events.ie/rockathon-rory-fundraiser

Join us for an unforgettable day of music while supporting the future of two of Ireland's most respected Independent & Voluntary led Music Festivals ​
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TICKETS HERE
]]><![CDATA[Rory Gallagher Festival - Update / Situation / Future ....]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:56:41 GMThttps://www.rorygallagherfestival.com/latest-festival-news1/rory-gallagher-festival-update-situation-futureHi folks, firstly I just want to thank everybody for making the 2026 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival amazing. It was a fantastic 4 days. Thanks to everybody who played any part in making the 23rd staging of the event so so Special.

Sadly, the last 2 weeks have been very difficult. The news that our main Ticketing Agent - Tickets.ie ceased trading two days after our hugely successful 2026 International Tribute Festival came as a major shock. It's been devastating as we were with this Company for close on 10 years. The hard fact is that, Oshi Software Limited T/A Tickets.ie owe the Festival to the value of €283,151.50 in ticket sales for 2026 ... These are unprecedented levels of ticket sales for the Rory Gallagher Festival. Tickets.ie have ceased trading, our voluntary committee along with other Irish Festivals have had to go to the High Court to initiate legal action.

Every hour of every day since has just been consumed by this, trying to engage in the legal world, and all the time knowing that without these funds, taken from our voluntary organisation, we as a result are in a precarious position. We have had loads of moral support and thank you for that but at the end of the day we should not be in this position. So this will no doubt go on for a long time, and as correctly reported in both the National and Local Media, the future of our long standing Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is not alone in doubt, its very hard to see how it will return.

We hope to be in a position to continue to fight through the legal channels. We want to be able to fulfill our commitments to our suppliers, as we always have done, but sadly in excess of 65% of our 2026 Revenue has been taken, and at this point all we can do is continue to fight. Again, thank you to many for their support, and to the key people out there that can fix this, it's time for action.

Best wishes to all,
Barry O'Neill (Chairperson & Founder)
Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival Committee - 2002 to 2026
Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland 
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Greatest Tribute to Rory Gallagher - Full Life Size Bronze Statue in Ballyshannon and 23 great years
did a volunteer led committee host the greatest festival in Rory's Honour
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