Latest news with #CorkRocksforRory
Irish Examiner
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Joe Bonamassa does Rory Gallagher at the Marquee, Cork: Tickets, start time, directions, setlist, etc
To mark the thirtieth anniversary of the passing of Cork blues-guitar icon Rory Gallagher, an all-star band of musicians will take to Live at the Marquee, to play from his deep catalogue of self-penned tunes and blues arrangements — led by American six-string virtuoso Joe Bonamassa. The concerts mark a culmination of Cork Rocks for Rory, the programme of gigs and other events celebrating the life and music of the late guitar legend. When is it on? The three-night residency runs from Tuesday July 1 until Thursday July 3; at Live at the Marquee, on the city's Centre Park Road. How much are tickets? Some tickets are still available for each of the three nights. The first two gigs had previously sold out, but the promoters have made some extra tickets available. Resale tickets start at €57.50; and full-price tickets start at €71.19; all available from the Marquee's Ticketmaster page. What time is kickoff? Organisers Aiken Promotions are opening the doors early each night, with admissions beginning at 6.15pm. The promoters have asked attendees to make sure to give themselves plenty of time to arrive, negotiate traffic, enter the venue, get food and drinks before settling into the arena. Organisers say the band is on stage at 8pm. There will be no support act, and no interval. Who's playing? Joe Bonamassa. Joe Bonamassa is a blues guitarist and gear connoisseur from upstate New York. A three-time Grammy nominee, he's best-known for keeping the genre alive with a series of solo and collaborative releases through his own label, Keepin' the Blues Alive Records; as well as being a prolific session and collaborative musician. Opening for the late BB King at the age of eleven in 1989; he's long cited Gallagher as among his predominant influences, and has been active in making press appearance promoting a gig that, by all accounts, is close to his own heart — he's also been spotted on Leeside in recent days, during rehearsals for the gigs. Joining Bonamassa onstage will be UK percussionist Jeremy Stacey (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, King Crimson, The Waterboys, Sheryl Crow); Australian keyboardist Lachy Doley; and Aongus Ralston of The Waterboys on bass. Gerry McAvoy, the stalwart bass player who accompanied Gallagher for many years, is also expected to make a guest appearance. What tunes will they be playing? The sets will be based largely on Gallagher's landmark Irish Tour '74 live album — recorded in part at Cork City Hall, with a few more Gallagher favourites thrown in. What about the Cork connection? Bonamassa is delighted to square the circle by playing one of Gallagher's own guitars at some point during the gigs. Rory had picked up the 1930 National Triolian Resonator for about £100 while on tour in the USA in 1973, and it was bought by a fan last year at auction for £95,650. As an aside, Bonamassa also got to follow in his hero's footsteps during rehearsals — taking a trip to Crowley's Music Centre in its new location just off Cork's Barrack Street, and purchasing a sunburst Strat of his own from Sheena Crowley, daughter of Mick Crowley, who had sold Rory his famous axe in 1963. Read More Rory Gallagher and the town he loved so well: Early days in Cork Where's the Marquee now? Live at the Marquee, Centre Park Road, Cork: home to some of the summer's biggest Leeside gigs. Pic: Larry Cummins Last year the Marquee moved across the road and it will continue from that site again this year. You can find the venue on the former Tedcastle's Yard on Centre Park Road. This is the second of at least three summers at the new location. Construction is underway on the old site, with more than 1,000 apartments being built in the area. How do I get there? Live at the Marquee is about a seven-minute drive from the city centre in low-traffic conditions. Walking, it will take about 30 minutes from the city, or 15 minutes from Ballintemple. If coming from the city, Centre Park Road is the first turn on the left at the Albert Road roundabout and continue along the road until you spot the distinctive yellow and blue tent. What about parking? Parking in the area is limited, but the current location has 300 car park spaces which can be booked on for €12 per car - up from €9 last year – plus €2.20 service fee. Organisers say the attendants will accept payment on the day only if there is space available on the evening of the show, however it is strongly recommended to purchase via Ticketmaster in advance as many of the shows are sold out. Coming from the city, the parking entrance is just beyond the pedestrian entrance on Centre Park Road. Is there a Ticketmaster office at the Marquee? Yes, the Ticketmaster kiosk is situated on the way to the main entrance after you enter the pedestrian gate. What's the food and drink situation? Be sure to bring your bank card as the Marquee has been a cashless venue for a few years now. Drinks are available at the usual bars in the tent, and at a bar in the outside area. A pint of Guinness or Rockshore costs €7 while a pint of Guinness 0.0 is €6.50. Spirits (gin, vodka, etc) with a mixer are €9, and wine is €9. There are some food vans onsite, and the Marina Market and the Black Market are converted warehouses with multiple food stalls within walking distance of the venue. As well as the city itself, Ballintemple and Blackrock village also have several bars. Read More An interactive map of Rory Gallagher's guitar
Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Five For Your Radar: Cork gigs, Glastonbury, Squid Game, and more...
Cork concerts: Duran Duran, etc Musgrave Park, Live at the Marquee, Cork, Friday-Thursday, June 27-July 3 What a week of gigs ahead. Duran Duran, supported by Nile Rodgers and Chic, play Musgrave Park (Virgin Media Park) on Tuesday, July 1, while the same night Live at the Marquee on the docklands, renowned blues player Joe Bonamassa plays Rory Gallagher on the first of three shows (next Thursday's show still has some tickets remaining). The Conoras play the Marquee on Friday, while the legendary Christy Moore returns on Saturday - expect classics and songs off last year's acclaimed album, A Terrible Beauty. Talk: Gerry McAvoy The Blue Angel, Cork Opera House, 2pm, Saturday, June 28 With the aforementioned Joe Bonamassa in town and Cork Rocks for Rory series of events continuing around the city, Gerry McAvoy, who played bass with Gallagher for 20 years, is in conversation on Saturday afternoon. Expect tales from the road and the recording studio. It's presented by Feedback Promotions as part of Gallaghers Music Festival, who are also staging a bus tour on Tuesday, July 1, of sights and landmarks associated with Rory. (Full disclosure... I'm the one interviewing McAvoy) Streaming: Squid Game Netflix, Friday, June 27 Netflix's number one non-English language series of all time, Squid Game returns for its third and final season on Friday. Gi‑hun (Lee Jung‑jae) returns wounded, vengeful, and ready to dismantle the Squid Game empire from within. He will be forced to make some important choices as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone's resolve. With each round, their choices lead to increasingly grave consequences. TV: Glastonbury 2025 BBC, Friday-Sunday, June 27-29 The cliche goes that the best way to experience Glastonbury is on your couch rather than in the usually muddy field of Somerset with over 250,000 people. Neil Young (his set won't be televised), Olivia Rodrigo (who played Dublin on Tuesday), and the 1975 headline, but the act everyone is talking about is Kneecap. It's unlikely their set will be shown on Saturday, however. Coverage begins on BBC Two at 5pm, while Kneecap's set on the West Holts stage is scheduled for 4pm to 5pm. Comedy: Dara Ó Briain Live at the Marquee, Sunday, June 29 It's a busy weekend of comedy in Cork, with Jarleth Regan doing a second night at the Opera House on Friday and Katherine Ryan playing a sold-out show there on Saturday. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Dara Ó Briain returns to the Marquee with his latest tour, Re:Creation, about the search for his biological father. Like the story itself, expect to be taken on a laugh-filled journey by one of the best standups around. Read More Tom Dunne: My six favourite albums of 2025 so far
Irish Post
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Entrance to Cork Airport renamed in honour of rock legend Rory Gallagher
THE MAIN entrance road to Cork Airport has been renamed in honour of rock legend Rory Gallagher, who passed away 30 years ago this weekend. The sign for Rory Gallagher Avenue was unveiled on Saturday, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in attendance alongside members of the Gallagher family and civic leaders. The unveiling took place on the same day as the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory, a citywide tribute to the rock icon. The celebrations will include exhibitions, workshops, musical performances and a new walking trail of sites linked to Gallagher's life and career. 'Genuine rock star' The Taoiseach said the renaming of the road at Cork Airport, which will form part of the new walking trail, was a fitting tribute to the musician, who grew up in Cork after being born in Co. Donegal. "It is an immense honour to officially unveil 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' at Cork Airport," said Mr Martin. "Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music. It was a pleasure and honour to open Rory Gallagher Avenue at Cork Airport. Rory was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 14, 2025 "His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. "I want to pay tribute to the Gallagher family and all those at Cork Airport and Cork City Council in bringing about this wonderful initiative in Rory's memory." Tributes A virtuoso guitarist, Gallagher rose to fame with the band Taste before embarking on a successful solo career. He passed away in London on June 14, 1995 after contracting an infection while in hospital, aged just 47. The latest tribute follows other streets being named in his honour in Cork, Dublin and Paris. Meanwhile, there are statues of Gallagher in Belfast and Donegal, while sculptures in his memory have been erected in Cork and Dublin. He has also been featured on a set of An Post stamps and a Central Bank of Ireland commemorative coin. For more information on the Cork Rocks for Rory events, please click here. See More: Cork, Cork Airport, Rory Gallagher
The Journal
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Taoiseach unveils 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' on thirtieth anniversary of the musician's death
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has unveiled 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' at Cork Airport in memory of the late musician. The 'Avenue' is the new name for the main entrance road to the airport. An event was held at the airport today, with members of Gallagher's family joining the Taoiseach and Cork's Lord Mayor, as well as representatives of Cork's civic and business community. Martin said that it was an 'immense honour' to unveil the avenue in Gallagher's honour. 'Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music,' he said. 'His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life.' Gallagher passed away in 1995 at the age of 47 following complications from a liver transplant. During a career spanning 30 years, he played both as a solo artist and with his band Taste, and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Advertisement Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of his death. Rory Gallagher, 1973. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Cork Airport will form part of new a Rory Gallagher trail 'Stompin' Ground' – a Cork City Council initiative highlighting places and locations that were strongly associated with the musician's life and career. At today's unveiling, a well-known Belgian guitarist, Jacques Stotzem, played some of Gallagher's most notable works for those in attendance. Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle, said, 'Cork Airport will be a stop on the new 'Cork Rocks for Rory' trail, championed by Cork City Council, and will guide visitors to various locations across the city that were synonymous with Rory's life and work.' Gallagher's brother Dónal said that his family are 'deeply honoured' by the 'heartfelt gesture' in naming the entrance after Rory. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cork airport road renamed in honour of Rory Gallagher on 30th anniversary of musician's death
Gone 30 years, but certainly not forgotten in his home city, the unveiling of 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' took place at Cork Airport on Saturday morning. Fellow Leesider, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, was on hand to perform the renaming ceremony of the main thoroughfare through the airport, with Cork's lord mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, and members of the Gallagher family among those in attendance. In many ways, the airport is a fitting place to memorialise the legendary guitarist who also has a city-centre plaza named after him, and an abstract statue by Geraldine Creedon, in Cork. As airport managing director Niall MacCarthy mentioned in his address, it was from this facility that Gallagher took his first ever plane journey in June 1965, when he flew to Spain with The Impact showband for their residency at an American air force base near Madrid. Fresh from his Leaving Cert, the talented 17-year-old had reluctantly agreed to cut his trademark long hair before travelling, for fear of not being admitted to Franco-ruled Spain. Cork Airport also featured in Gallagher's final journey when the 47-year-old was returned home following his death in London on June 14, 1995. In the intervening years, the Ballyshannon-born, Cork-raised musician had established a reputation as one of the best guitarists in the world. One of Ireland's first rock stars, Gallagher was a source of pride for Corkonians who witnessed one of their own rubbing shoulders with all sorts of international luminaries. Indeed, the airport unveiling came in a week when the music world was mourning the loss of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, both figures that Gallagher had shared bills with. Gallagher toured extensively in the US and Europe, but his younger brother Dónal recalled how Rory had always retained his affection for his hometown. 'Coming back to Cork Airport was the moment he always cherished and always loved. And the family and I are so deeply honoured. Thank you to everyone for turning out,' said Dónal. Karen Skelly from Ballyshannon, Keery Irvine from Belfast and Fiona Campbell at the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory. Picture: Darragh Kane During his speech at the event, the Taoiseach also recalled Gallagher's humility, describing how, during his tenure as Lord Mayor of Cork in 1993, he had to coax a the shy and reluctant star into attending a civic reception following a benefit gig at the Everyman Theatre for Bosnian refugees. 'Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music,' added Mr Martin. 'His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. I want to pay tribute to the Gallagher family and all those at Cork Airport and Cork City Council in bringing about this wonderful initiative in Rory's memory.' Rebecca Loughry and Sarah Wrixon at the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory. Picture: Darragh Kane The airport unveiling also coincided with an ongoing Cork Rocks For Rory event that the City Council is running with the Gallagher family. A number of Rory-related exhibitions, discussions and other events are taking place across the city, culminating in three concerts by American guitarist Joe Bonamassa at the Marquee on July 1-3.
