Work will begin on a clay model of a new statue honouring legendary guitarist Gary Moore on April 4, the date that would have marked his 72nd birthday. The announcement comes following Belfast City Council’s recent support to find a location in the Cathedral Quarter, and after campaigners successfully raised the funds to bring the project’s first phase to life.
The statue will be a tribute to Moore’s remarkable career — from his time with Skid Row and Thin Lizzy to his internationally acclaimed solo work, including the seminal blues-rock album Still Got the Blues (1990), which sold over three million copies and achieved gold and platinum status around the globe.
A Belfast Legacy
Born and raised in east Belfast, Gary Moore moved to Dublin as a teenager where he forged a lifelong friendship with Phil Lynott, frontman of Thin Lizzy. He went on to become one of the most respected guitarists of his generation, collaborating with greats like B.B. King, Albert King, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton.
Following his death in 2011 at the age of 58, Moore’s influence has only grown — and now, the city that shaped his early years is preparing to honour his legacy in permanent form.
Moore’s family has carefully selected a reference image that will guide the sculptor’s vision. The initial clay impression will give fans their first glimpse of what the final statue will look like.
Support from Family and Fans
Moore’s wife, Jo Rendle, welcomed the milestone:
“It is fantastic news for everyone in Gary’s immediate and wider family circle, and for his fans. We are fully supportive of the campaign. It would be great to return to Belfast one day to see a statue of Gary in his beloved home.”
His sister, Patricia, added:
“We started from nothing with no experience and no funds. It has taken time, but we are gaining momentum, and it’s very exciting to have the first phase of the statue starting.
So many people have expressed their support for a statue of Gary. His legacy as one of the world’s greatest guitar players will one day soon be celebrated by many, and that makes us so proud.”
She also believes the statue will inspire new generations of fans:
“The statue will create new fans of Gary’s music too, which is great for Belfast. The city has come a long way and is ready to shout out to the rest of the world about its amazing talent.”
Wild Frontier Project Gains Ground
The statue campaign — known as the Wild Frontier Project — has earned political support, and businesses in Cathedral Quarter have voiced their approval for the statue’s proposed location. A fundraising tribute show will be held at The Black Box in Belfast on April 4, headlined by Dublin’s Gary Moore Brass Band Tribute.
International recognition of Moore’s legacy already exists — the village of Skånevik in Norway has erected a silhouette statue in honour of his contribution to blues music and the village’s annual Blues Festival.
Now, Belfast is taking the first steps to ensure its hometown hero is honoured in stone, in the very streets that shaped his remarkable journey.
