Blues Guitar Legends in star studded line-up for Rory Gallagher Festival 2025
The 21st Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival will be a very Special commemoration of the Late Rory Gallagher in the town of his birth Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. In what is a milestone year for one of Ireland’s great Music Festivals it will also mark the 30th Anniversary of the sad passing of Rory Gallagher. The Guitar legend was born at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon on 2nd March 1948 and the town has celebrated the life and music of the guitar genius for close on 25 years with Festivals, unveiling the Rory Gallagher Statue, Rory Gallagher Place on the street where Rory first resided, the fabulous Rory Gallagher Mural and of course the Rory Gallagher Festival that now attracts in excess of over 10,000 visitors over the 4 days annually with this years very special Festival taking place from Thursday 29th May to Sunday 1st June 2025.
The 21st offering by way of headline acts is laced with music royalty and a must attend event for music fans that features 4 Time Grammy winner Jimmie Vaughan. The Texas Blues legend style was influenced by Freddie King, Albert King and B. B. King while Muddy Waters was a fan of the Vaughan Brothers as of course Jimmie is old brother to the Late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jimmie formed the legendary band “The Fabulous Thunderbirds” that went on to record some of the most important blues recordings. Jimmie Vaughan will be performing at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top on Saturday 31st May 2025 and also on Sunday 1st June 2025 with the Rory Gallagher All-Star Band.
The “Band of Friends” return to Ballyshannon for this very special festival and its most appropriate that any Rory Gallagher Celebration is graced by Rory’s band members and having Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill return is always a pleasure and add in Davy Knowles and Mark Cowan you have the Band of Friends who bring the magic to the Big Top. Band of Friends will be performing at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top on Saturday 31st May 2025 and also on Sunday 1st June 2025 with the Rory Gallagher All-Star Band.
The 21st offering by way of headline acts is laced with music royalty and a must attend event for music fans that features 4 Time Grammy winner Jimmie Vaughan. The Texas Blues legend style was influenced by Freddie King, Albert King and B. B. King while Muddy Waters was a fan of the Vaughan Brothers as of course Jimmie is old brother to the Late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Jimmie formed the legendary band “The Fabulous Thunderbirds” that went on to record some of the most important blues recordings. Jimmie Vaughan will be performing at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top on Saturday 31st May 2025 and also on Sunday 1st June 2025 with the Rory Gallagher All-Star Band.
The “Band of Friends” return to Ballyshannon for this very special festival and its most appropriate that any Rory Gallagher Celebration is graced by Rory’s band members and having Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill return is always a pleasure and add in Davy Knowles and Mark Cowan you have the Band of Friends who bring the magic to the Big Top. Band of Friends will be performing at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top on Saturday 31st May 2025 and also on Sunday 1st June 2025 with the Rory Gallagher All-Star Band.
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The impressive line-up sees many of the great acts that have performed over the 21 Years of the Rory Gallagher Festival return including NINE BELOW ZERO fronted by Dennis Greaves and Rory's great friend and band member - Harp player MARK FELTHAM. Festival legend and local guitarist - JOHNNY GALLAGHER & BOXTIE return for another stellar Festival Big Top appearance, Mama's Boy's Legend - PAT McMANUS & HIS BAND are also part of the Big Top Headline Programme but will also perform at the iconic Rory Gallagher Festival Outdoor Gables stage along with many great acts. Croatian Guitarist – VANJA SKY and Her Band will make a debut performance at the Festival Big Top on Sunday 1st June 2025. Vanja Sky is a serious Rory Gallagher fan and in all her performances, the Croat guitarist always salutes Rory.
The Superb Irish Blues Guitarist - GRAINNE DUFFY & HER BAND with Special Guest Irish Blues maestro MARY STOKES will open the Festival Big Top Gigs on Friday evening 30th May 2025, for what should be a very special performance. A Band that it’s fair to say that made their breakthrough at the Rory Gallagher Festival - ZAC SCHULZE GANG who have been tearing up the continent with mind blowing performances over the last 2 years. Zac and the lads will perform at the Festival Big Top on Friday 30th May 2025. We welcome the return of LAURENCE JONES to the Festival Big Top, one of the great modern day British Blues guitar players who has always held the torch for Rory Gallagher no matter where he plays, while SEAMIE O’DOWD will also feature in the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top having along with Laurence performed with Rory’s guitars at the recent Bonhams auction in London. Seamie O’Dowd an absolute genius musician.
The full Festival programme of activity will be announced very soon that will detail all gigs set to take place at the Rory Gallagher Theatre, Street Stages at Rory Gallagher Place, at the Rory Gallagher Statue, The Gables, the Rock Hospital and at 10 Pub venues throughout Ballyshannon between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2025 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Rory Gallagher Festival Founder and Chairperson Barry O'Neill said "Launching our 21st Rory Gallagher Festival Headline Acts is particularly pleasing for myself and for the voluntary Rory Festival Team. Ballyshannon awaits to welcome fans and visitors from all across the world. We really hope that everybody are as excited as we are to be in a position to assemble such a fantastic and iconic line-up of acts for the 2025 Festival Big Top. We pride ourselves in honouring Rory's musical legacy and I have no doubt that Rory would approve in what we do in his name and remembering the greatest Blues Rock Guitarist of all time. It’s a testament to Rory and to his worldwide fanbase that this is our 21sth Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon in 2025, and despite all the obstacles and challenges facing Festival organisers, this is real labour of love for us. The satisfaction and enjoyment in doing this outweighs any possible minor negatives. We will be announcing many more acts in the coming weeks to complete our extensive outdoor street stages, local venues and much more. In all 30 Acts will perform on 15 Stages over the 4 day duration of the 2025 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon. We would like to say a special thanks to Failte Ireland and Diageo Ireland for their continued support and assistance in helping to stage this great Music Festival in honour of Rory”.
Book your 3 Night Early Bird Tickets for our Big Top Concerts Now by clicking on the button below and please remember that more acts will be announced to perform at our Outdoor Street Gigs, at the Rory Gallagher Statue, at the Fair Green (Town Park), at Rory Gallagher Place, at The Gables and at Rory's birthplace at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon – www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets
The Superb Irish Blues Guitarist - GRAINNE DUFFY & HER BAND with Special Guest Irish Blues maestro MARY STOKES will open the Festival Big Top Gigs on Friday evening 30th May 2025, for what should be a very special performance. A Band that it’s fair to say that made their breakthrough at the Rory Gallagher Festival - ZAC SCHULZE GANG who have been tearing up the continent with mind blowing performances over the last 2 years. Zac and the lads will perform at the Festival Big Top on Friday 30th May 2025. We welcome the return of LAURENCE JONES to the Festival Big Top, one of the great modern day British Blues guitar players who has always held the torch for Rory Gallagher no matter where he plays, while SEAMIE O’DOWD will also feature in the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top having along with Laurence performed with Rory’s guitars at the recent Bonhams auction in London. Seamie O’Dowd an absolute genius musician.
The full Festival programme of activity will be announced very soon that will detail all gigs set to take place at the Rory Gallagher Theatre, Street Stages at Rory Gallagher Place, at the Rory Gallagher Statue, The Gables, the Rock Hospital and at 10 Pub venues throughout Ballyshannon between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2025 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Rory Gallagher Festival Founder and Chairperson Barry O'Neill said "Launching our 21st Rory Gallagher Festival Headline Acts is particularly pleasing for myself and for the voluntary Rory Festival Team. Ballyshannon awaits to welcome fans and visitors from all across the world. We really hope that everybody are as excited as we are to be in a position to assemble such a fantastic and iconic line-up of acts for the 2025 Festival Big Top. We pride ourselves in honouring Rory's musical legacy and I have no doubt that Rory would approve in what we do in his name and remembering the greatest Blues Rock Guitarist of all time. It’s a testament to Rory and to his worldwide fanbase that this is our 21sth Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon in 2025, and despite all the obstacles and challenges facing Festival organisers, this is real labour of love for us. The satisfaction and enjoyment in doing this outweighs any possible minor negatives. We will be announcing many more acts in the coming weeks to complete our extensive outdoor street stages, local venues and much more. In all 30 Acts will perform on 15 Stages over the 4 day duration of the 2025 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon. We would like to say a special thanks to Failte Ireland and Diageo Ireland for their continued support and assistance in helping to stage this great Music Festival in honour of Rory”.
Book your 3 Night Early Bird Tickets for our Big Top Concerts Now by clicking on the button below and please remember that more acts will be announced to perform at our Outdoor Street Gigs, at the Rory Gallagher Statue, at the Fair Green (Town Park), at Rory Gallagher Place, at The Gables and at Rory's birthplace at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon – www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets
