As Rory Gallagher fans remembered the Ballyshannon-born star on what was his 63rd birthday yesterday, they were given quite a present as the organisers of this year’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon revealed the Festival Programme online, on their official facebook and website www.goingtomyhometown.com.
The 10th Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2011 takes place in Ballyshannon between 2nd and 5th June 2011 and will feature the legendary Jan Akkerman and his band, yes the Dutchman who was lead guitarist and frontman to the renowned “Focus”, while also among the headliners are former lead guitarist with “Thin Lizzy” Eric Bell and his band, while reflecting the Folk ‘n Blues genre will be Martin Carthy.
The Festival recently received the National Festival Award for ‘Best Medium Sized’ Festival and will also see the renowned “Sinnerboy” tribute band from Manchester make their final appearance anywhere, at this year’s event.
Some 20 International acts from Norway, Holland and the UK will all perform in Ballyshannon, including a first time appearance for “Rock Hospital” from Norway, the return of “Shinkicker” led by Chris Stuckey and the “Tony Dowler Band”.
Festival Chairperson, Barry O’Neill said he was delighted with the line-up for this year’s festival.
“Eric Bell and his band previously played the Festival in 2007 and he was amazing, indeed his performance that night of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ has since had over 85,000 You Tube hits.
“Jan Akkerman is widely regarded as one of the leading Guitarists in the world, its fabulous that the man behind tune ‘Hocus Pocus’ is coming to play Ballyshannon. Rory Gallagher was a fan of Jan Akkerman and equally Jan was a fan of Rory.
“Folk Guitarist Martin Carthy will also perform at the headline Concert at the Rory Gallagher Theatre on Saturday 4th June 2011. Martin Carthy was honoured by Queen Elizabeth with an MBE for his services to folk music, and Martin collaborated with Rory on the Album ‘Wheels within wheels’, its great that the 10th year of the Festival has these legends of music coming to pay tribute to Rory”.
There are many leading Irish Acts performing at the Festival including Pat McManus Band (ex. Mama’s Boys), “Johnny Gallagher & Boxtie”, “Seamie O’Dowd Band”, “Moonchild”, “Willie Byrne Band”, “The Skins”, “Dave McHugh Band”, “Slumming Angels”, “Zero Resistance”, “Messin’ with d’Gallagher”, “The Bollock Brothers” and solo blues artists Peter Price (England) and Monica Heldal (Norway).
The organisers of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2011 are expecting significant attendances at the 4-day Festival in June with Barry O’Neill paying tribute to those who continue to support the staging of the Festival.
“It would not be possible without the ongoing work by the voluntary committee who put many hours of work into the Tribute Festival for many months, also our sponsors Guinness Ireland, Greenstar and the Ballyshannon Business Community and our key funders – Failte Ireland, Donegal County Council and Ballyshannon Town Council”.
The Rory Gallagher Festival takes place between the 2nd and 5th June 2010 in Ballyshannon. All Festival details & Tickets available at www.goingtomyhometown.com
Ends
