Cork-born Fin Costello has snapped some of the world's biggest bands and rock stars, including the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac, among others.

But, more recently, the talented photographer turned his attention to a compilation of images of the Ballyshannon-born rocker, which has now been published.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of the book launch at the city's Limelight bar on Saturday, Costello said his efforts had been a labour of love.

"I met Rory initially when he was touring with the Rolling Stones and I was photographing the band," he said.

"Jazz was our commonality and we used to go to jazz clubs together in London. Then, in 1979, I went on tour with him, and that's when we really started to become good friends.

"In the 40 years that I photographed the top bands no-one could touch Rory in terms of how he connected with the audience."

Gallagher, who played what is now regarded as a legendary gig at the Ulster Hall in 1984, died in 1995 after kidney failure. He was only 47.

But his brother, Donal, later asked Costello to contribute to an exhibition to mark the 10th anniversary of his death.

"I began to look back through my archives and I discovered a mountain of stuff that I'd forgotten about," Costello said.

"Most of the shots were good and I decided to do something on Rory. Of all artists I ever worked with he was the easiest to work with. The book is a give back thing. On one hand, it's about getting it out there in the public domain. On the other, that's the end of it. It's abut putting that era of my life to bed."

Fin Costello's book, Rory Gallagher: The Ultimate Performer, will be launched at the Limelight bar at 2pm on Saturday.

There will also be an exhibition of a selection of his award-winning photographs on the day.

These will include photos that were on display during the Homecoming Exhibition at the Triskel Theatre in Cork last year.

After the official launch, there will also be a chance for members of the audience to put questions about Gallagher to Costello, as well as to another of the celebrated star's friends, Dino McGartland.

That afternoon, the Rory Gallagher tribute band Double Vision will entertain fans by playing some of the late musician's popular tracks.