Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival crowdfunds for event's future

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival organisers have launched a €30,000 crowdfunding appeal to ensure the event continues in 2026. 

The appeal on gofundme.ie was launched just over a week after the 21st Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival had ended in Ballyshannon. There were fears at the event that the festival’s future was uncertain. 

In a series of online statements, organisers praised the success of the 2025 edition of the festival and thanked key funding partners and sponsors for their support of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival.

The statement then went on to say: “The future of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is unknown. We hope to call on everyone, both local, national, and international, to support our fundraising/crowdfunding efforts in the coming days and hope that the long-running event can continue in 2026.”

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A second statement read: “Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has taken place for 21 years in Ballyshannon, Ireland. A small, dedicated voluntary group organise the international four-day event annually. 

“Festivals like this are under pressure to survive going forward, owing to the demands in staging such a significant event.

“We are calling on everybody local, national, and international to support the future of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival with this crowdfunding appeal. Thank you for your support.”

South Donegal-based councillor, Michael McMahon, had previously told Donegal Live that he hoped “the powers to be would help the festival to continue for many years to come,” after the success of the 2025 event.