It is the largest annual International Festival in the North West of Ireland and the organisers of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival have announced today that they are deferring this year’s 4 day festival to the last weekend in August with the new Festival dates for this year 27th – 30th August 2020. The hugely popular International Festival celebrating Ballyshannon’s most famous son – Rory Gallagher was due to take place on the final weekend of May, however the voluntary organising committee having consulted with authorities at a National level have stated that it’s in the Public interest to defer the event by 3 months to 27th – 30th August 2020.
Festival Chairperson – Barry O’Neill said “we have taken all the best advice available to us and while it may seem a difficult decision, it is the correct course of action to take now. The decision was taken in light of the challenges arising from the spread of Coronavirus, we have a huge loyal international audience and have bookings from over 23 countries worldwide and taking this action now is in everybody’s interest, for the visitors and the local communities safety. This year is a special year of commemoration for Rory, it marks his 25th Anniversary of his sad passing in 1995, its also the 18th year of the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon and it’s the 10th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Rory Gallagher Statue in Ballyshannon. So we are determined to have the Festival in 2020. We have undertaken huge work over the last 7 days in conjunction with the National Tourism Authority – Failte Ireland, to move the dates by 3 months and we are retaining all of our acts bar one, which is really good news. All Tickets purchased for the Festival will remain valid for the rescheduled dates and by choice they are also valid for next years 2021 Festival. All Ticket holders have been contacted by email today by both ourselves and by our main tickets agent Tickets.ie and all details and options are detailed directly to the ticket purchasers with refunds also available. We are being as fair as we can, we are not cancelling, we are just moving dates in the Public interest. It’s difficult but it’s the right call for now”.
Among the headline acts that will be appearing between 27th and 30th August in Ballyshannon will be the legendary “Horslips” featuring Johnny Fean, Jim Lockhart, Barry Devlin and Ray Fean, Rory Gallagher’s band members “Band of Friends” featuring Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill, renowned USA Guitarist – Eric Gales & His Band, Thin Lizzy legend – Eric Bell & His Band, Status Quo member Richie Malone All-Star Band, Johnny Gallagher & Boxtie, the Pat McManus Band, the legendary “Grand Slam” featuring Laurence Archer, Sinnerboy (UK), Laundromat (Holland), Crow Black Chicken (Ire), Sam Davidson’s Taste, the Seamie O’Dowd Band and many more. The only act lost to the original advertised line-up is Walter Trout Band (USA) but organisers have guaranteed that another major international blues rock act will be added to the line-up in the coming weeks. All details are available at www.rorygallagherfestival.com
Mr. O’Neill concluded “We are appealing for our audience to stay with us for August, we believe that it is the correct decision now, so that festival attendees can make the necessary arrangements early rather than leaving this decision closer to the time, which would not be fair. It is 70 days from today to what would have been the start of the original Festival date, hopefully by us taking this decision now to defer and giving 70 days notice that it will be helpful in amending travel / accommodation arrangements. Instead, as of today it is now 163 days to the start of Rory Gallagher International Festival 2020 - new dates 27th - 30th August 2020. We thank everybody in advance for your support in this decision and look forward to welcoming you to Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland for Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2020 taking place from 27th to 30th August 2020. In this difficult time for everybody, we wish everybody well in the weeks ahead, stay safe and look after each other, helping now and listening to the advice being offered and taking the advice will help everybody”.
All the latest details for the forthcoming Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2020 and more announcements to come are on our website - www.rorygallagherfestival.com
Festival Chairperson – Barry O’Neill said “we have taken all the best advice available to us and while it may seem a difficult decision, it is the correct course of action to take now. The decision was taken in light of the challenges arising from the spread of Coronavirus, we have a huge loyal international audience and have bookings from over 23 countries worldwide and taking this action now is in everybody’s interest, for the visitors and the local communities safety. This year is a special year of commemoration for Rory, it marks his 25th Anniversary of his sad passing in 1995, its also the 18th year of the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon and it’s the 10th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Rory Gallagher Statue in Ballyshannon. So we are determined to have the Festival in 2020. We have undertaken huge work over the last 7 days in conjunction with the National Tourism Authority – Failte Ireland, to move the dates by 3 months and we are retaining all of our acts bar one, which is really good news. All Tickets purchased for the Festival will remain valid for the rescheduled dates and by choice they are also valid for next years 2021 Festival. All Ticket holders have been contacted by email today by both ourselves and by our main tickets agent Tickets.ie and all details and options are detailed directly to the ticket purchasers with refunds also available. We are being as fair as we can, we are not cancelling, we are just moving dates in the Public interest. It’s difficult but it’s the right call for now”.
Among the headline acts that will be appearing between 27th and 30th August in Ballyshannon will be the legendary “Horslips” featuring Johnny Fean, Jim Lockhart, Barry Devlin and Ray Fean, Rory Gallagher’s band members “Band of Friends” featuring Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill, renowned USA Guitarist – Eric Gales & His Band, Thin Lizzy legend – Eric Bell & His Band, Status Quo member Richie Malone All-Star Band, Johnny Gallagher & Boxtie, the Pat McManus Band, the legendary “Grand Slam” featuring Laurence Archer, Sinnerboy (UK), Laundromat (Holland), Crow Black Chicken (Ire), Sam Davidson’s Taste, the Seamie O’Dowd Band and many more. The only act lost to the original advertised line-up is Walter Trout Band (USA) but organisers have guaranteed that another major international blues rock act will be added to the line-up in the coming weeks. All details are available at www.rorygallagherfestival.com
Mr. O’Neill concluded “We are appealing for our audience to stay with us for August, we believe that it is the correct decision now, so that festival attendees can make the necessary arrangements early rather than leaving this decision closer to the time, which would not be fair. It is 70 days from today to what would have been the start of the original Festival date, hopefully by us taking this decision now to defer and giving 70 days notice that it will be helpful in amending travel / accommodation arrangements. Instead, as of today it is now 163 days to the start of Rory Gallagher International Festival 2020 - new dates 27th - 30th August 2020. We thank everybody in advance for your support in this decision and look forward to welcoming you to Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland for Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2020 taking place from 27th to 30th August 2020. In this difficult time for everybody, we wish everybody well in the weeks ahead, stay safe and look after each other, helping now and listening to the advice being offered and taking the advice will help everybody”.
All the latest details for the forthcoming Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2020 and more announcements to come are on our website - www.rorygallagherfestival.com
Photo - Ballyshannon Town Centre during 2019 Rory Gallagher Festival - Photo by Terry Hanna
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