Rory Gallagher (1948-1995): Diary of A 30th Anniversary Celebration

Our adventure at the 2025 Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival began last October when several of Rory’s harmonicas were purchased at auction by the Ballyshannon festival committee.

At the time, most of the public’s attention was focused on where Rory’s iconic Stratocaster would eventually end up, amid much speculation that it might leave the country. However, being a devoted harmonica player, Brian publicly inquired whether any of Rory’s harmonicas might be returning to Ireland.

Almost immediately, word came through from Barry O'Neill, director of Ballyshannon’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival that a selection of Rory’s harps had indeed been acquired, and they would be returning to Ballyshannon. Moreover, Brian was generously invited to perform during the festival, using several of the harmonicas.

The invitation initially caught Brian a little off guard. “To say that I was surprised would be a gigantic understatement,” he says now. “I was absolutely delighted and immensely proud. I considered it an incredible honour to be entrusted with making music of a calibre that would do justice to Rory’s musical legacy, on an instrument he had actually played. It was a very good reason to start practicing extra hard…”

We began figuring out how the challenge could be met most effectively. The timing wasn’t right to bring our own band to Ballyshannon, but our friends Grainne Duffy and Paul Sherry graciously stepped in and invited Brian and me to sit in with them, and their band, for a few numbers at their gig on the main stage in the Big Top.

Grainne Duffy and Mary Stokes at at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival.

We had a great jam together at Grainne’s gig in Arthur’s Blues and Jazz Club in Dublin, so it was the perfect answer, and we were confident as well as excited by the prospect of collectively breathing fresh life back into the harmonicas. Not everyone has the self-confidence and generosity of spirit to turn an important stage performance over, in whatever degree, to their peers, but Grainne held no fear. There was a wonderful sense of musical camaraderie as we planned our collaboration.

When we arrived in Ballyshannon itself, that sense of camaraderie immediately began to expand. This felt like not just a warm community experience, but something more akin to a family reunion.

The streets of Ballyshannon were full of music, the footpaths bursting with local enthusiasts, fans from across Ireland, and revellers from around the world – all united in their devotion to Rory Gallagher’s music and his legacy.

Among the first people we met was local legend Johnny Gallagher – with his band of course – driving a splitter van down the road as he waved to friends and fans with both hands! There were hearty greetings up and down the town as we made our way to hear the great young guitar prodigy, Muireann Bradley. Can she really be just 18 years of age – and play like that?

Backstage, Muireann was in relaxed form ahead of the show. How does one so young stay so calm? We first met in Dublin when we shared the stage during the Nollaig na mBan festival back in January, and so we compared notes on our recent travels and performances.

On Saturday, we hooked up with Grainne and Paul and their band, at the soundcheck in the Festival Big Top, to run through the songs together. All good on that score – the band sounded great. Both Brian and I could begin to relax.

There was a great feeling, meeting so many members of the blues tribe. We chatted with Zac Schultze – one of the hottest young blues properties in the UK – and his band before heading back into town where we bumped into Gerry McAvoy and The Band of Friends. Somehow, the name seemed particularly apt to the occasion.

Later that evening, as planned, we met up with Barry O’Neill. Just before showtime, he presented Brian with several of Rory’s harps to use. The band revved up, Grainne got into her stride and we were up and running. Grainne and her band were in superb form, and Grainne’s performance was powerful and particularly moving on her song ‘Dirt Woman Blues’ – the title track from her 2023 album.

Grainne called us onstage for a rousing version of Otis Rush’s ‘It Takes Time’, a song Rory used to play, followed by Little Walter’s ‘Mean Old World’ – and finally Rory’s ‘Sinnerboy’ with a powerful extended intro on solo harmonica, with Brian in his element and delivering brilliantly. It felt like a genuinely spiritual moment. I had the privilege of leading the audience in a the legendary chant of “Rory! Rory! Rory!” – and the the place absolutely erupted in response.

Muireann Bradley backstage at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival.

A TREAT FOR FANS

The first instinct on our second full day in Ballyshannon was to chill out after the exertions of the previous night. We went to meet Irish guitar legend Pat McManus before his incendiary gig in the Big Top, which would have been a highlight in any festival. Backstage Rory’s nephews Eoin and Daniel Gallagher beamed with delight, while local musician Ciaran Hodgins described his excitement at the prospect of playing a guitar which once belonged to Rory.

The great Austin, Texas guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, was quietly preparing his setlist in the dressing room at the Big Top when we arrived. He was an absolute gentleman as we posed for photographs together and discussed various blues musicians we know in common. We gave him copies of our recent albums which he studied carefully before complimenting us on our choice of material. As we reminisced about the many Blues connections we share – from the ‘swamp blues’ pioneer, harmonica player Lazy Lester to the great Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy and brilliant veteran blues harmonica player, Charlie Musselwhite (who Jimmie has often collaborated with), we spoke of gigs and venues, including the world famous Antone’s in Jimmie’s hometown of Austin, Texas.

Mary Stokes and Jimmy Vaughan at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival.

I recalled Charlie Musselwhite’s commitment to his small club audience at one gig that Brian and I attended in the USA many years ago. I’ve always been inspired by the respect that Charlie gave to the audience that night. “You know, that’s what people don’t always see,” Jimmie observed.

Moments later he was the consummate professional as he tore up the stage with explosive guitar riffs straight from Texas, backed by Johnny Gallagher and band.

The festivities came to a close the following day. All the way from Croatia, Vanja Sky and her band performed a brilliant set of Rory’s songs, including a heartfelt version of ‘Shadowplay’, which had the entire crowd singing along. Then it was the turn of The Band of Friends to lead an all-star cast in the festival finale in the Big Top, running through a variety of Gallagher classics to the delight of the audience and with Jimmie Vaughan joining them for a blow. A scorching version of ‘Bullfrog Blues’, and a rousing ‘We Shall Overcome’, sealed a great performance.

On Monday, as live music continued to flow from some of the pubs, the town’s streets showed the first signs of returning to normal. Numerous food trucks were packed up and beginning to hightail it, as a convoy of camper vans also began the long drive back to the Continent.

After a hearty breakfast and a bracing stretch of the legs along the spectacular Donegal coastline, we directed our car back towards Dublin refreshed and invigorated.

The weekend had been a treat for Rory fans, a triumph for the blues – and will provide vivid memories for both of us, having been part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the great Irish guitar hero.