9. The most photographed site in Ballyshannon Rory Gallagher's image

Rory Gallagher statue in the Diamond Ballyshannon sculpted by David Annand

17th April 2020. No. 9 in Top Ten.  Rory Gallagher's statue the most viewed place in Ballyshannon with 5 fun questions all answers in the blog. answers not hard to find.
Five Fun Questions. All answers in the blog.
1. Tom Gallagher still living in Cluain Barron had a connection with Rory Gallagher's  father?
2. Where is Rory Gallagher Place?
3. Who was the sculptor for the wonderful bronze statue of Rory in the Diamond?
4. Who chairs the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival annually in Ballyshannon?
5. What age would Rory have been in 2020. 

No. 8 in the most popular hits on Facebook site of Ballyshannon Musings tomorrow Saturday 18th April. 

Rory Gallagher (1948-1995), the legendary singer, song writer and world famous guitarist is remembered, in many ways, in his hometown of Ballyshannon. His family came to Ballyshannon in the 1940s which was a period of rapid economic growth, with the construction of the Erne Hydro-Electric Scheme. His father Danny came to Ballyshannon, like many others, to work on the Erne Scheme. The Annual Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is chaired by Barry O’ Neill, a grandson of Frank O’Neill, who provided accommodation for the Gallagher family, who were one of many who passed through the town, during the days of the Erne-Hydro Electric Scheme. The family resided in Ballyshannon for a few years and moved to live in Derry and later Cork
Tom Gallagher also worked on the Erne Scheme and played in a band with Danny Gallagher, James Hoey, and sisters Maureen Kane (nee Slevin) and Lily Heresy ( nee Slevin). Danny Gallagher played the accordion and they played together locally in Ballyshannon, and surrounding areas. Maureen and Lily Slevin were daughters of one of Ballyshannon's greatest characters "Paddy Go Aisy" 

             Paddy "Go Aisy" Slevin had the honour of opening the new bridge at Ballyshannon 

during the Hydro-Electric Scheme which brought Danny Gallagher to Ballyshannon in the 1940s

On the 2^nd of March 1948 Monica Gallagher gave birth to Rory in the aptly named Rock Hospital in the town. Donal Gallagher, a brother of Rory’s, unveiled a plaque to his memory in 2000 at the Rock Nursing Home, (formerly the Rock Hospital) where the legendary blues performer was born. Donal also attended the inaugural tribute festival in Ballyshannon in 2002 and has been a frequent visitor since. .

In Ballyshannon today Rory Gallagher is remembered with the annual international Rory Gallagher tribute festival, also with a painting and plaque at Rory Gallagher Place on East Port and in the local home of drama at the Abbey Centre, the theatre has been named Rory Gallagher Theatre in his memory. In 2010 a life-sized bronze statue sculpted by David Annand was erected here in the Diamond and has become a focal point for visitors to the town. The statue was commissioned by Donegal County Council Public Office in association with the Rory Gallagher Festival Committee.

In 2018 the Central Bank of Ireland chose Rory Gallagher as the first contemporary musician to be honoured with a special minted coin which shows him playing his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Rory Gallagher whose hometown was Ballyshannon

Limited edition  hardback available from anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com and local book shops when things settle