The building that housed the museum since it opened over two years ago is due to be put up for sale, resulting in its closure. "We have been renting the premises from the local Credit Union but they have a new building and they are selling off their assets, " said Barry O'Neill, chairperson of the Rory Gallagher International Festival Committee. "They have been very good to us, and we understand that they need to sell the building, but we need to find funding to buy it."

Rock legend Gallagher was born in Ballyshannon and spent the first three-and-ahalf years of his life there before his family moved. The people of Ballyshannon have maintained ties with Gallagher's memory over the years and the town has hosted the popular Rory Gallagher International Festival for the past five years.

The museum was set up by the festival committee wth visitors coming from all over the world, including Japan, the USA and Europe.

"Our museum contained all of his vinyl collection, some of his first recordngs, ticket stubs, guitars, and concert and tour material such as posters and collectors pins, " said O'Neill. "We also had a collection of newspaper and magazine articles from all over the world and an audio presentation of his concerts.

"Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in getting substantial funding for the museum and it has been kept going as a labour of love for some of us. . . if you go to Liverpool and see the way The Beatles are commemorated, it's a shame we can't do something similar for the most loved solo artist in Irish music history."

Ballyshannon Credit Union said the building is not up for sale at present but it will be put up for auction.

News of the museum's closure has been greeted with disappointment by the musician's fans across Ireland.

Ben Cuddihy, a Gallagher fanatic from Cork, said, "I know that Gallagher fans from all over the world have been making the pilgrimage to Ballyshannon for the festival and they will be disappointed to hear this."

Rory Gallagher Corner has become an internationally recognised landmark in Temple Bar, Dublin and Dermot McLoughlin of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust said, "We regret to hear of the closure of the museum and it would be great if it could be sustained. That said, the best tribute of all that can be made to a musician like Rory is the way his memory lives on with people still loving and enjoying his music all over the world."