Posted online: Mar 10th, 2010

By Michael McHugh, Editor

Legendary Ballyshannon born Blues Guitar legend Rory Gallagher will be making a permanent appearance in the town quite soon, although it will be a bronze Rory.
The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival Committee and Donegal County Council Public Art Office have been working jointly on the project for over two years, since Cllr. Barry O’Neill, the Tribute Committee founder and Chairperson, first suggested
the idea in 2008.
Cllr. O’Neill travelled to Fife, Scotland last Friday to see first hand the Sculpture Progress being made by renowned Sculptor David Annand following an open competition for artists conducted by the local authority.
Speaking to the Donegal Post this week, Cllr. O’Neill said that “the Rory Sculpture is now entering its final stage following consultation, preliminary design, design and what we now have is the the Clay Sculpture of Rory that will now go to the foundry to be moulded into bronze.
“I am very proud that this sculpture will stand in Ballyshannon this year and have to say that David Annand has done a superb job, something that we endorsed from day one because Mr. Annand’s work speaks for itself.”
The Sculpture will be unveiled in Ballyshannon Town centre on Wednesday 2nd June 2010, on what will be the opening event of the highly successful 5-day Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2010. There will be a particular International focus on the unveiling with a host of well known musicians expected to attend the event on what will be a special night for Ballyshannon and indeed Irish Music.
The programme of events for this years Festival will be unveiled on next Tuesday 16th March on the official festival website www.goingtomyhometown.com.