40 years ago today - Rory Gallagher played a legendary set for Ireland’s first ever rock music festival

On June 26, 1977, Rory Gallagher played a legendary set in Macroom for Ireland’s first ever rock music festival, writes Roz Crowley

ON JUNE 26 1977, Rory Gallagher played one of his best gigs ever, and one of his largest in Ireland. A gig that would inspire and entertain, it brought together 20,000 loyal fans. Macroom Mountain Dew would make history as Ireland’s first open air rock festival.

But what was it about Gallagher that grabbed his fans? Music buffs can never give one definitive answer, but total dedication to his art was one key to his success. He lived for music. And he was a decent human being.