The statue was green-lit in 2016, and recreates one of the late guitar great’s most famous poses from a 1972 Melody Maker cover

Barry McGivern, of the Rory Gallagher Statue Project Trust, said the statue was a "fitting tribute". "Rory came up to Belfast in 1967 and it was a vibrant music scene," Mr McGivern told BBC News NI.

A statue of late blues-rock guitar icon Rory Gallagher drew mixed responses when it was unveiled in Ireland in January 2025.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Rory Gallagher. The Irish guitarist-songwriter founded the short-lived blues rock band Taste before embarking on a celebrated solo career, and his playing influenced a number of guitar legends.

A new statue of the late great Rory Gallagher has been unveiled in his hometown of Belfast. High time, of course. Gallagher left us 30 years ago, in 1995, at the ridiculously young age of 47. But it’s not the guitar that people are getting upset about.