Latest news with #RoryGallagherInternationalTributeFestival
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Donegal drowning victim (69) was well know musician
The man who died after getting into difficulty in the water in Co Donegal has been named locally as well known musician Jock McDonald. Mr McDonald was the founder of a popular punk rock band, 'The Bollock Brothers' and worked as a musician in London. Emergency services were called to Bundoran after they were alerted to a man in the water at around 5.20pm on Saturday. RNLI removed the 69-year-old from the water and he was taken to Sligo University Hospital in a serious condition, where he was later pronounced dead. The death of Mr McDonald was announced by his bandmate, Pat Pattyn. In a post online, he said, 'It is with great sadness in my heart, I have to bring you this terrible news. "Sadly, our singer Jock McDonald has died in Ireland, apparently a freak swimming accident. "His children asked me to tell you all via this way. "His family and all the Bollock Brothers are in shock. "We are going to try and give this a place, but that won't be easy. "Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss you.' Since the news of his passing emerged, tributes have been posted online with the musician being remembered as a 'legend', and a 'one of a kind talent'. Mr McDonald, who also worked as a promoter, DJ and manager, founded The Bollock Brothers in 1979. During their lengthy career, the band released nine studio albums as well as other EPs, singles, live releases and compilations. The band remained active and had planned to tour Germany and Belgium in August 2025. The band is best known for their hits Faith healer, Harley David (Son of a B***h)', Horror Movies, The Bunker, The Legend of the Snake and The Slow Removal of the Left Ear of Vincent van Gogh. The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has paid tribute to the singer. "We would like to remember the Late Jock McDonald who has sadly died in Donegal in the last few days. "Jock was on one of his many visits to Ballyshannon and always loved his Donegal heritage. "Jock, front man with the famous Bollock Brothers who performed at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival and a renowned Punk Band that toured throughout the World. "We knew Jock very well, he was in Ballyshannon this weekend, home to support Donegal and sadly died suddenly. "The music world will not the same without Jock McDonald, one of the great characters that I got to know through his many visits to Ballyshannon. "We extend our sympathy to Jock's Family - Kilien, Maria and extended family, his band colleagues, his wide circle of friends and to his very good friend here in Ballyshannon, Patrick McGahern. "This photo of Jock at the Rory Gallagher Statue was taken by Patrick this week. "Rest in Peace Jock and thank you for your music.'
The Irish Sun
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Music world won't be the same' – Brother's tribute as iconic Irish punk rock singer dies in ‘freak swimming accident'
HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a legendary Irish punk rock singer who died in a swimming tragedy in Co Donegal. Jock McDonald, 69, 2 Jock at the Rory Gallagher Statue in Ballyshannon just a few days before he passed away Credit: Social Media 2 Jock McDonald sadly passed away after getting into trouble in the water Credit: Social Media Jock, who was the founder of the Bollock Brothers, was taken from the water by local RNLI volunteers at around 5:20pm and rushed to He was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. Jock - whose real name was Patrick O'Donnell - grew up between He had been preparing to hit the road with his band on a tour in just a few weeks time. READ MORE IRISH NEWS Jock's brother Gerry O'Donnell told how his sibling had gone home to his birthplace and went for a swim but the "undercurrent took him". He said: "He was more than a brother to me. I'm heartbroken but if he had to be taken then for him it would have been Donegal with our mum and Dad." Bollock Brothers drummer Pat Pattyn told how Jock's family and the band is "in shock" following the tragedy. He said: "It is with great sadness in my heart,I have to bring you this terrible our singer Jock McDonald has died last night in Ireland, apparently a freak swimming accident. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "His children asked me to tell you all via this family and all the Bollock Brothers are in are going to try and give this a place, but that won't be easy... "Please don't try to call us today, give us some time, please... Rest in peace, my friend...I will miss you." Fellow band member Keith Bradshaw said: "Sad news to announce the [loss] of my best friend of 45 years. The famous Jock Mcdonald who sadly lost his life this morning RIP. "My friend a true legend my heart goes out to all members of his family. Thanks for the great life we had together with the Bollock Brothers." 'GREAT CHARACTER' The Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival was among those who paid tribute to Jock, telling how "the music world will not be the same" without him. It said: "Jock was on one of his many visits to Ballyshannon and always loved his Donegal heritage. "Jock, front man with the famous Bollock Brothers who performed at the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival and a renowned Punk Band that toured throughout the World. "We knew Jock very well, he was in Ballyshannon this weekend, home to support Donegal and sadly died suddenly. "The music world will not be the same without Jock McDonald, one of the great characters that I got to know through his many visits to Ballyshannon. "We extend our sympathy to Jock's Family - Kilien, Maria and extended family, his band colleagues, his wide circle of friends and to his very good friend here in Ballyshannon, Patrick McGahern." The statement added: "Rest in Peace Jock and thank you for your music."
RTÉ News
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Rory Gallagher instruments brought back to life at festival
Instruments belonging to the world-famous blues guitarist Rory Gallagher have been brought back to life in his birthplace of Ballyshannon, Co Donegal. Musicians have been given the opportunity to play guitars belonging to the guitarist who sold 30 million albums as part of the annual international Rory Gallagher Festival. Chairperson of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Barry O'Neill, told RTÉ News that collectors in Ballyshannon were able to secure several guitars, harmonicas, a mandola and other items during an auction in London last October. The instruments, which will go on display as part of a permanent exhibition later this year, include a mandola made by Chris Eccleshall, who also made instruments for David Bowie, Peter Townshed and Eric Clapton. Barry O'Neill said they are "delighted it is going to rest in Ballyshannon" as it is an important part of musical heritage as Rory Gallagher only had one mandola. The collection also includes a supro dual-tone electric guitar, gifted to Rory Gallagher in 1985 by Canadian slide guitarist Paul Fenton. He played the instrument extensively on tours in north America and Canada in the 1980s. Ciarán Hodgins, a musician from Ballyshannon, said it was an honour and "a once in a life [opportunity] to play the instrument". "The guitar is road worn. Rory was a hard player but as soon as it's connected to an amplifier - it's as good as new. "It's surreal and it's a real honour to play it and to keep Rory Gallagher's legacy alive in Ballyshannon," he said. Tickets for this weekend's festival have been sold in 22 countries. Rory Gallagher was born at the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1948. His family moved to Derry city before settling in Cork. He died in 1995. As a recording artist, he sold over 30 million albums during his career. He played and toured around the globe. Visitors from UK, France and Australia said they made the journey to Ballyshannon because of their love for Rory Gallagher's music as well as the camaraderie and friendship found at the festival. Julian Vignoles, author of Rory Gallagher: The Man Behind the Guitar said he has "only missed one year" of the festival which is like "a pilgrimage". "People like me come to express our belief in the power and the majesty of Rory Gallagher's music." Guitarist Johnny Gallagher said the Rory Gallagher Festival created a great interest in rhythm and blues and rock and roll music. "It's a fantastic positive. Some of the greatest bands and guitarists in the world are coming to the festival. "Down and dirty with the blues in Ballyshannon - sure you couldn't be at it in a better place," he said.
