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Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band Announced to Perform Live at the Rory Gallagher International Festival 2026

11/14/2025

Ballyshannon, Ireland — The Rory Gallagher International Festival is thrilled to announce that Billy F Gibbons and The BFG Band will perform live on Saturday, May 30th, 2026, at 10:00 PM.

The legendary Billy F Gibbons, best known as the guitarist and frontman of ZZ Top, will bring his unmistakable Texas blues-rock sound to Ballyshannon.

Billy will be performing with The BFG Band, featuring Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin on keyboards and Chris “Whipper” Layton on drums.

Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of raw blues energy, electrifying guitar work, and classic Southern groove — a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Rory Gallagher.

Billy F Gibbons added, “Rory Gallagher was the real deal — pure tone, pure soul, and pure fire. We’re honored to bring our brand of blues to Ballyshannon to celebrate Rory’s spirit and the sound that continues to inspire us all. We’re gonna crank it up and let it rock!”

Barry O'Neill, Chairperson and Founder of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Billy F. Gibbons and The BFG Band to Ballyshannon. It's a dream come true, not alone for our small organisation but for the many Rory and Festival followers who make the pilgrimage to Ballyshannon each year. Rory had great admiration for Billy and ZZ Top, and having Billy come to Rory’s birthplace to perform is very, very special.”

Tickets and full festival details are available at - www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets

BILLY F GIBBONS AND THE BFG BAND - LIVE IN BALLYSHANNON 2026

Rory Gallagher Festival 2026 - Going To Be Very Special

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Countdown To The Ballyshannon Rhythm & Blues Weekend 2025

9/16/2025

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Guinness Ballyshannon Rhythm & Blues Weekend 2025 at the Home of Irish Blues Rock on 24th, 25th & 26th October 2025 promises to be another brilliant Blues experience in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Now in its fourth year the event boasts over 20 Acts at 10 venues over 3 days with over 60 Free Gigs with a brilliant line-up of acts both established and new to Ballyshannon. The Ballyshannon Rhythm & Blues Weekend has non-stop venue based Blues gigs all-day every day for one great Irish Bank Holiday Weekend with Late Night Bar Extensions. There is also the headline ticketed show on Sunday 26th October 2025 at the Rory Gallagher Theatre featuring the legendary "DR. FEELGOOD" with support acts "The Savage Hearts" and "The Shlacks" - Advanced Tickets HERE

We are delighted to welcome so many great acts including Johnny Gallagher & His Blues Band, the Pat McManus Band, "Mr. Castle Blues" led by Venezuelan guitar virtuoso Hector Castillo, the legendary "Seamie O'Dowd Blues Band", the unmissable "Gerry Quigley & The Mystic Blues Band". We are always pleased to bring back young talent to the table and with that are delighted to welcome back to Irish shores for the second time, UK Young Blues Band Finalists 2025 "Jack Austin Despy & His Band" (UK). Then there are the Blues guys that put the B in Blues !!! Lonesome Pete, Mark Black, Stephen Brennan and our great friend Mr. Peter Price ... Then there are the acts that want to pack power blues into your weekend "Heavy Duty", "Juke Joint Blues" always a Big Blues favourite in Ballyshannon, the fantastic "Banshee" from Belfast led by the fabulous Rosie McGinn, "Happy Inc Blues" with huge experience, class and another great young Blues Rock act in "Buzzed" who are a must see, electrifying young Blues Rock trio from County Leitrim.

"Ciaran Hodgins & His Band" have been going great, performing at many Festivals at home and abroad, Ciaran is one superb Blues player with a gra for Rory, Elvis and American Blues, "Coldshot" make a triumphant return a must see act and from County Tyrone another hard working band on the Irish Blues Festival scene, "The Rusty Jacks", a great great live band.

There are loads of Accommodation options available in the Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh locality - Click here for options and this weekend has a particular welcome for the Festival Campervans in Town Centre areas - Click HERE for more details

Ballyshannon Rhythm & Blues Weekend 2025 supported by Guinness Brand - Rockshore Irish Lager and the Pubs of Ballyshannon - Get your overnight bag ready and make plans to get to Ballyshannon for the 24th, 25th & 26th October 2025 - You are in for a superb Weekend in the Best of Irish and International Blues - Full Weekend Programme and All Details - HERE

Advice on Accommodation

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Print / Download - Full Weekend Programme 2025
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Dates Announced for Ballyshannon Rory Gallagher Festival 2026

7/4/2025

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The 22nd Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival will take place in Rory's birthplace of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland from Thursday 28th May to Sunday 31st May 2026. This is not just a music festival, it is 4 days of non-stop gigs on the streets and venues of the town that are all free to view. The streets of Ballyshannon come alive to the strains of guitars being eloquently played by superb musicians from everywhere. The Festival street gigs are pretty special in an enjoyable relaxed atmosphere with many at the towns celebrated Rory Gallagher sites such as at the Rory Gallagher life sized statue, at Rory Gallagher Place (on the street where a young Rory resided) at the Rock Hospital (where Rory was born) at the Rory Gallagher Theatre, at Allingham Park, at the Rory Gallagher Mural and at The Gables in the town centre that resembles a natural amphitheatre. If you speak to annual attendees, they will always tell you, "go once, experience Ballyshannon, and you want to go back". In what will be a Special Festival for everybody in Rory's birthplace of Ballyshannon, it will also be the 30th Anniversary since Rory's sad passing.

We would like to Thank all the Festival Supporters, attendees, followers who have generously donated to the Rory Gallagher Festival Go Fund Me Campaign securing the future staging of the iconic 4 day event into 2026 and hopefully beyond - Join us for the 2026 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland.

The Festival Headline acts for the 2026 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival will be announced in the coming months, these renowned acts will be perform at the hugely popular Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top that is located in the heart of the town. It's the 22nd staging of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon with thanks to the support of the Gallagher Family, funders Failte Ireland and sponsors Diageo / Guinness Ireland. Huge credit to the Founder and Chairperson Barry O'Neill who leads the Festival Team and who works tirelessly in ensuring the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival continues for another year.

All details for the 2026 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival are available on the Official Festival website and Early Bird Big Top Tickets for all 3 Nights at the Festival Venue for those Headline Shows are now available - www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets.html

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