Tánaiste 'would love' Rory Gallagher's guitar back in Cork

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has expressed his wish that Rory Gallagher’s ‘Strat’ guitar be reunited with Cork.

The instrument is to be auctioned in London later this year for between £700,000 (€834,000) and £1m (€1.19m).

The Cork South Central TD has pledged to explore means by which the State can purchase the legendary Fender Stratocaster.

Speaking at an official visit to Cork earlier this week, Mr Martin recounted memories of the musician being honoured at a civic reception at Cork City Hall during the now Tánaiste’s term as lord mayor of Cork in 1992.

“I have very fond memories of when he played in the Everyman Theatre and his brother, Donal, was there on the night. I asked Donal would Rory mind being honoured tomorrow.

“Donal said he was extremely shy and that he shied away from all these kinds of public events, but he did come in and we had a small group of about 40 people. I have very fond memories of that day in Cork City Hall,” Mr Martin said.

The leader of Fianna Fáil said he would speak to the arts minister about the possibility of securing the guitar as a cultural artefact for Cork.

“I would love if we could, obviously. I will talk to Catherine Martin and see what’s possible, but it would be lovely if we could get that guitar back on Leeside.”

The guitar has its origins in Ballyphehane, when Michael Crowley, of Crowley’s Music, of No.1 Friar Street, sold the Stratocaster to Mr Gallagher.

The music store has been kept alive by Michael’s daughter, Sheena, who now runs Crowley’s Music.

Having heard Mr Martin’s comments, the shop owner took to Facebook to share her delight.

“You have heard the great news, I am sure, about the State now trying to find a way to buy the Rory Gallagher Strat’. So, the chances of it staying in Ireland have now increased massively.”

She shared a photo of her late father alongside the instrument and said: “He knew when he sold it to Rory that something major was going to happen.

“He was so happy to sell the Strat’ to Rory. He knew it was the best possible match.”

Ms Crowley is running a GoFundMe page to purchase the guitar and return it to Cork.

“To everybody who cares where Rory Gallagher’s Strat’ ends up, Rory Gallagher lived in several places throughout his short life. He loved Donegal and Derry, but above all he loved Cork. There is a reason he is buried in Cork. He spent most of his life in Cork. Walking the streets of Cork, studying the great musicians of Cork, jamming with his friends in Cork, forming bands with musicians in Cork.

“He bought his most-absolute favourite possession in Cork, and he bought it from a friend, Michael Crowley. The Strat’ spent most of its life in Cork up until Rory’s ing. Rory would want the guitar to come home to Cork.”

The GoFundMe page has, at the time of writing, raised just over €20,000.

Ms Crowley shared an excerpt from an interview by photographer/music journalist Bob Hewitt with Donal Gallagher several years ago.

When Donal was asked what will happened to Rory’s Stratocaster, he said: “It’s looked after, but the difficulty is, it’s so revered and so sought-after. The insurance value has just gone through the roof. Instinctively, it should be in Cork.”