Belfast: Rory Gallagher statue unveiled outside Ulster Hall.

A statue of Irish rock and blues legend Rory Gallagher has been unveiled at Belfast’s Ulster Hall.

It is located outside the Bedford Street venue where Gallagher played regularly throughout the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The County Donegal-born musician also performed at various venues across the city with his group Taste and as a solo artist before his death in 1995.

The sculpture is inspired by the January 1972 Melody Maker magazine cover photo of Gallagher on stage at the Ulster Hall and was created by Anton Brennan, Jessica Checkley and David O’Brien of Bronze Art Ireland.

Many fans, family members and local signatories gathered for the unveiling of the statue.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Mickey Murray opened the event and said Gallagher’s integrity and talent transcended borders.

Wrapped in blue plastic until its unveiling, the statue proved a little difficult to unwrap and the crowd cheered when it was finally revealed.

Chants of ‘Rory’ and loud applause filled the air throughout the event. Rory Gallagher’s relatives said it was a great day.

Those involved in today’s unveiling of the statue said they hoped the memorial would ensure Rory’s contribution to music would never be forgotten.

Barry McGovern of the Rory Gallagher Statue Project Trust said the statue was a “fitting tribute”.

“Rory came to Belfast in 1967 and it was a vibrant music scene,” Mr McGovern told BBC News NI.

“In Belfast, with relish, he would play with John Wilson and Richard McCracken [from Northern Ireland]they were a power trio and helped give it its wings, and the people of Belfast allowed it to flourish.

“When he played the Maritimes in Belfast there were queues all the way down the block to the New Vic.

“Rory also lived in a guest house in Cromwell Road, off Botanic Avenue.

“He would have played at various venues in Belfast as well as the Maritimes, including Ulster Hall, Queen’s University, Grosvenor Hall, Sammy Houston’s Jazz Club, Romano and the Pound.”

Last year, an iconic guitar that the musician played throughout his career was sold at auction. For over £889,000.

Gallagher bought a 1961 Fender Stratocaster in 1963 for £100.

Mr McGovern said Gallagher was a regular at Baird’s music shop in Belfast.

He recalled an exchange between his owner Harry Baird and Gallagher regarding one of his guitars.

“He often went to Baird’s music store in Belfast with his Stratocaster and the story Harry Baird told was that he played it with a three-penny bit, flicking the paint.

“Harry would say ‘you’re doing my job’ and Rory would reply ‘it’s good for Harry’s image’.

Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal and spent part of his childhood in Londonderry.

He also spent his early years in Cork after his family moved there in 1956.

The taste, which emerged in the 1960s and featured diverse lineups, was championed by artists including John Lennon and Eric Clapton.

Gallagher’s albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide and has He was praised by guitarists such as The Edge, Johnny Marr and Brian May..

There is already a plaque commemorating Gallagher in Ulster Hall.

Donal Gallagher, his brother and former manager, said it was “fitting that the city he loved so much should be remembered for generations to come”.

Gallagher’s nephew Eoin said his uncle was “synonymous” with Belfast and the unveiling of the statue was “very humbling”.

He said a number of Belfast musicians had played with Gallagher and that the guitarist had never forgotten his links to the city and it was “very important” he continued to gig in Belfast during the Troubles.

“He spent a lot of his formative years there in the late 1960s, he played a lot of clubs and was very much involved in the Belfast music scene,” he told BBC News NI.

Daniel Gallagher, another of the musician’s nephews, was at the unveiling and said: “Growing up I heard from my dad and Rory how important Belfast was to Rory’s musical origins, having moved here in ’67. .

“He’ll talk about how he played with the great musicians of Belfast and how they shaped him – and how the city shaped him.

“It was the first place in Ireland where he could actually go and play the blues.”

Ciaran Laverty was present at the unveiling with a portrait of the musician almost 50 years ago.

“I saw Rory here at the Ulster Hall in the late 70s and it made me so happy – I just had to come. Belfast was practically his first home.”

Pat McKevitt, head of entertainment at the Ulster Hall, said Belfast, As a UNESCO City of Musicwas more than happy to celebrate Gallagher’s talent.

He said the Ulster Hall had been at the forefront of live music for more than 150 years, hosting many renowned artists and that Gallagher’s concerts had laid the foundation for the venue’s future success.

As well as the unveiling of the statue, fans will see Gallagher again at the Ulster Hall on Saturday evening, when footage of him playing there will be shown at a screening of the documentary Irish Tour ’74.

For Barry McGovern it will bring back many memories.

“There will be a big screen with a full PA, it will be like Rory at the Ulster Hall, it will be fantastic,” he added.

“I saw him about 30 times, including Ulster Hall.

“If he was playing, I was going to watch him.

“It’s going to be a wonderful evening.”