Cork Rocks for Rory: Tribute to Rory Gallagher launches with citywide events and exhibitions
The Rory Gallagher estate, in collaboration with Cork City Council and Cork City Libraries, is hosting a citywide tribute to the guitar legend to mark the 30th anniversary of his death.
Cork Rocks for Rory will see photographic and original memorabilia exhibitions take place at iconic buildings across the city this June, as well as a city-wide walking trail that will commemorate the life and legacy of the blues and rock icon.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle remembered Rory Gallagher as Cork's 'finest cultural export across the world' and highlighted the importance of celebrating his genius on the 30th anniversary of his death.
The musician's nephew, Eoin Gallagher, said: 'The popularity and interest in Rory's music and life has only continued to grow and grow here in Ireland and throughout the world.
'We are delighted to support these simultaneous exhibitions and the establishment of the permanent 'Rory Gallagher's 'Stompin' Ground' Cork City Walking Trail.'
He said the initiative would help provide visitors to Cork, many of whom are Rory Gallagher fans, with information about the places the musician lived, learned, and performed in the city.
'The Rory Gallagher estate is committed to continuing to share the magic of Rory Gallagher's music and look forward to building together with Cork City Council and future partners in continuing to honour Rory's legacy and Cork roots,' he said.
Cork City librarian David O'Brien described the 'Cork Rocks for Rory' initiative as a wonderful opportunity to honour Gallagher's legacy.
He said it was especially pleasing for Cork City Library, given the music library is named after him.
Events taking place from June 14 include a display of Gallagher's first guitar and first recordings at a photographic exhibition, which will include never-before-seen images of the musician; a display of some of Gallagher's handwritten lyrics; selections from his personal vinyl and book collections; and a display of Gallagher's tour memorabilia, instruments, and amps.
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'Someone who could've comfortably got into his vintage years, but there was just a weird curve that happened in the '80s and '90s that made him estranged from popular music. 'I think that's what happened. It sort of rocked him a bit. Had he got round that corner who knows what might've happened.' But the music lives on. Last weekend the annual Rory Gallagher Festival took place in Ballyshannon and blues great Joe Bonamassa will play Gallagher's music for three nights in Cork next month. A new statue of Gallagher was unveiled outside the Ulster Hall in Belfast earlier this year and a road will soon be named in his honour in Cork. His faithful Fender Stratocaster was also donated to the National Museum of Ireland after being sold at auction for more than €1million. It will go on display at Collins Barracks in September. Marr has played the signature Strat a number of times, including one memorable night at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. 'It caused quite a stir with the band and crew, it was like Excalibur had arrived,' he laughs. He owns another of his hero's old guitars – a bronze Silvertone 1415 which Gallagher used on A Million Miles Away. 'One of my prized possessions.' Over the years he's introduced the likes of Noel Gallagher and Bernard Butler to the Ballyshannon bluesman's music. Marr and his wife Angie have two grown-up children, Sonny and Nile, and Rory is part of their lives too. When Marr played in Athy, Limerick and Donegal last year it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a Johnny Marr Irish Tour '24 album. 'Why didn't I think of that?' he says, laughing. 'I might have to do some shows for that – Irish Tour '26!' Make it happen, Johnny. All you need is a guitar and maybe an amp. They might even let you borrow the one in Collins Barracks again.
