The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is refusing to take the collapse of Tickets.ie lying down, joining forces with Rockathon for a major Dublin fundraiser.
The Ballyshannon and Meath festivals have teamed up for a fundraising concert at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, 31st October 2026.
Both festivals suffered the loss of virtually all of their online ticketing income when Tickets.ie ceased trading in June.
The Rory Gallagher Festival was left reeling with losses of €283,151.50, owed to many local businesses, just two days after the 2026 festival ended.
Organisers said the missing money represented almost 70% of the festival’s annual income. The voluntary committee has since joined other affected festivals in High Court action in an effort to recover losses linked to the collapse.
Rather than fold to the fallout, the two independent festivals have now come together for what they describe as a celebration of live music, friendship and solidarity.
“We could have accepted defeat. Instead, we’ve chosen to stand together,” organisers said.
The ‘Irish Rock Music Festivals Together’ concert will run feature three acts from each festival.
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The line-up includes Rory Gallagher – Band of Friends, featuring Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill, Whiplash, Ireland’s Metallica tribute, and the Pat McManus Band with special guests Barry Devlin and Jim Lockhart of Horslips.
Also taking to the stage will be Rugged Little Pill, an Alanis Morissette tribute, The Zac Schulze Gang and The Year Grunge Broke.
Organisers said the event will help support both festivals as they attempt to recover from the financial blow and safeguard their future.
“This is more than a concert. It’s two independent Irish music festivals standing shoulder to shoulder,” they said.
Tickets for the fundraising concert are now on sale through Gr8 Events.