4 days ago
Main roadway in Cork Airport will be named after Rory Gallagher
The formal naming of Cork Airport's main roadway will take place on the 30th anniversary of Rory Gallagher's passing, June 14.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD will unveil new signage of the main roadway, accompanied by Rory's brother Dónal Gallagher and other Gallagher family members, on June 14, three decades after the rock icon died in 1995.
Guitarist Jacques Stotzem will be performing acoustic versions of Rory's classics on the day of the event.
The renaming of the airport road is part of a bigger initiative by the Rory Gallagher Estate, the Cork City Council and Cork City Libraries, who are organising citywide memorial celebrations for the guitarist, called 'Cork Rocks for Rory'.
'Rory Gallagher has been Cork's finest cultural export across the world. As we mark the 30th anniversary of his passing, we must celebrate his genius,' said Cllr Dan Boyle, the Lord Mayor of Cork.
On June 14, a photographic exhibition on Rory's early years in Cork will be opened in the Atrium, which will include unseen photos of the musician, as well as handwritten lyrics, his first guitar, and first recordings.
Cork City Library will host an event called 'Lyrics, Vinyl & Visuals' from June 14 to June 24, which will focus on Rory's writings and musical influences.
From June 14 onwards, the Rory Gallagher 'Stompin' Ground' Cork City Walking Trail will also be available via QR code, highlighting the places and streets Rory used to wander.
Gallagher's family is 'honoured and proud' of the renaming and the initiative taken by the city, with Rory's nephew, Eoin Gallagher, saying 'the popularity and interest in Rory's music and life has only continued to grow and grow here in Ireland and throughout the world.
'The Rory Gallagher estate is committed to continue to share the magic of Rory Gallagher's music and looks forward to building together with the Cork City Council and future partners in continuing to honour Rory's legacy and Cork roots'
Other places named after the rock star in Cork include the Rory Gallagher Place and the Rory Gallagher Music Library.
