Legendary Guitarist Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood), Norman Watt-Roy (The Blockheads) and drummer Dylan Howe have been added to the line-up for this year’s Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival that will take place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal between Thursday and Sunday 28-31 May 2015. 

Wilko Johnson & His Band will perform on the final night of the Rory Gallagher Festival at the Big Top in Ballyshannon Town Centre, in what will be Wilko’s only Irish Festival Appearance in 2015. The award winning festival that honours the Late Great Rory Gallagher will be quite special this year in marking the 20th Anniversary of the Ballyshannon born Blues Rock Legend.

The addition of Wilko Johnson to the line-up for the final night of the Festival on Sunday 31 May 2015 is being widely welcomed with a stunning final night line-up now announced.

“Band of Friends” featuring Rory Gallagher Band members—Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna with Dutch Guitarist—Marcel Scherpenzeel will also be on the Sunday night bill as will Laurence Jones & His Band (recent winner of the UK Blues Challenge) and completing the final night line-up will be Johnny Gallagher & the Boxtie Band.

Wilko Johnson said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to Rory’s birthplace and honour the great G-man, I wanted to do the gig last year, but I had medical issues to sort and I have battled back. It’s going to be a superb festival, I am really looking forward to playing at Rory Gallagher Festival 2014 in Ireland, going to be great.”    

Festival Chairperson Barry O’Neill said: “We are absolutely delighted that Wilko Johnson & His Band have confirmed for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Wilko has demonstrated great character having bravely battled serious illness and we are thrilled that Wilko, Norman and Dylan will be with us on 31 May in Ballyshannon.

“It completes an awesome final night line-up and it is going to be a very fitting tribute to Rory, 20 years after his sad passing.”    

MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS    
Preliminary details have been announced since late last year, however the news that Wilko Johnson & His Band will be appearing is a huge coup for what is now hailed by organisers as Ireland’s leading Rock Blues Festival.

However the voluntary organisers of the Rory Gallagher Festival 2015 have also said that more legendary international acts will be announced in the coming weeks “yes there are more acts to be announced including a number of headline acts that will be appearing at the Big Top on 29 & 30 May, watch this space .... there are more to follow, this is going to be an extraordinary line-up in honouring Rory, 20 years after his untimely passing”.   

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2015 takes place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland between Thursday and Sunday, 28-31 May 2015 with all details available on the Official Festival Website www.rorygallagherfestival.com

Supported by Failte Ireland / Donegal County Council / Diageo (Guinness Ire)