A specially commissioned statue of the Blues guitar legend, who was born at the appropriately named Rock Hospital, Ballshannon on March 2, 1948, will be unveiled on June 2 as part of the Rory Gallagher festival.

Renowned sculptor David Annand has been working on the project for the last ten months, following an open competition for artists conducted by Donegal County Council’s Public Art Office.

Cllr Barry O’Neill, who has just returned from Fife, Scotland, where he saw the work in progress, says he’s delighted.

"The Rory sculpture is now entering its final stage following consultation, preliminary design and design. What we now have

is the the clay sculpture of Rory that will now go to the foundry to be moulded into bronze. I 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.

“It’s great to see the culmination of all the hard work by our small voluntary committee in ensuring that this would happen in Ballyshannon. Other parts of the Country wanted this to happen in their towns and cities but it didn't. With the support of Donegal County Council's Public Art Office, it’s happening in Ballyshannon.

“There’s great excitement among Rory's fans across the world in anticipation of the unveiling, with many hundreds of them planning to come to Ballyshannon for the event, which coincides with the start of the Five Day Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2010."

Cllr. O'Neill is remaining tight-lipped for the moment on what well known musicians will be attending but did say: "Rory had many friends in the music world and I think the calibre of guitarists and musicians that will attend this year for the historic sculpture unveiling in Ballyshannon will be exciting for everybody involved with the Tribute Festival, for the people of County Donegal and the many thousands of visitors that will converge on Ballyshannon for the festival.

For more information, visit www.goingtomyhometown.com from Tuesday, March 16.