Celebrations to mark Rory Gallagher’s 70th birthday


Many of the world’s best-known guitarists have paid tribute to Gallagher over the years, with Johnny Marr of the Smiths, Queen’s Brian May and, even, chart-topper Ed Sheeran among those keen to make their admiration known in recent years.

His impact is keenly felt decades later, with blues bands of all ages flocking to Cork each year to get a taste of what he enjoyed, while the annual Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, continues to grow in popularity each year.

The guitarist’s brother played a song of his on Shandon Bells, while Cork’s radio stations joined in the tribute by playing music throughout the day. The event drew attendees from all over Europe, with Gallagher die-hards keen to mark the event on Leeside.

A plaque has been mounted in the West Atrium of CIT’s Bishopstown campus, including a picture of Gallagher, where he played on November 18, 1993.

For those who don’t make it, though, fear not as Universal Music has planned a very special tribute event to mark what would have been Rory’s 70th birthday.