Help Bring Rory Gallagher's Instruments Back to Cork

Hi, my name is Sheena Crowley. My father Michael sold Rory Gallagher his famous iconic Strat over 60 years ago. The Strat and Rory's instrument collection will be going up for auction on the 17th of October. Rory's Strat means so much to us in Cork as we know how much the Strat meant to him. It was his most prized possession, and he took it everywhere with him. The guitar itself represents Rory's dedication to his music, and that he gave his life to it. We have been campaigning to bring it back to Cork for the entire summer and the wheels are turning.

Hopefully we will be successful in this and now we turn our attention to the collection with the funds raised. We will be able to have a substantial display in Cork Public Museum if we are to reach our new goal of €100,000. This will increase tourist revenue in Cork, increase employment, and generate new and creative projects for the musicians of our city. On one Facebook page alone Rory has almost 500,000 fans but there are lots more absolutely dedicated fans who would travel across the world to see it. Fans from as far as Japan, Iceland, Germany, want his guitar and his collection to remain in Cork!

We will eventually develop a music museum showcasing traditional and modern music, marching bands, ceili bands, showbands, rock bands, punk bands and so on, We have so much music heritage in Cork, and there are hundreds of families with so many great stories and so much memorabilia that should be shared and displayed. There is huge potential for the city here.

Music is our culture. We should preserve it like a national treasure. The Strat is a modern day Book of Kells if you will. We need a space that preserves and honours the musicians of the past, supports our active musicians today, and fosters musicians of the future. Rory was someone who pushed the boundaries even at a time when 'Rock n Roll' was considered to be the devils music! He gigged in Northern Ireland during the 'Troubles' when no one else would, and he played daytime gigs there due to curfews. He was on a mission and no one could stop him. He was selfless, and totally giving. We got so much from him. We must do this for Rory, and we must do it for our heritage.

The main aim is to have the Strat brought back to Cork with the assistance of government or a wealthy benefactor and we will push for that right up until the last moment. The goal is changed to €100,000. With the funds that have been raised we will go after other instruments in Rory's collection, and the Strat will hopefully be acquired through separate negotiations.

https://www.guitarplayer.com/news/rory-gallagher-strat-gofundme?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=guitar-player&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3RJ0wUjwnBEaWCdTpQFXVjHvhyu-9DVIbV-tFqwaiMTwN-OmYuCkifGZw_aem_sy405nShR8km1w1bCq_BBA

I was just sent this beautiful message by an anonymous donor.

"Can you imagine walking through a music museum in Cork - a museum that captivates the history and evolution of Irish music, song, instruments, and artists. The majestic entrancing harp, the humming voice notes of uilleann pipes, the waves and whirlwinds of the concertina and fiddle. An ancient ancestry of tunes that are timeless that have shaped our character. And then understanding that tradition of our folklore and it's advancement to folk music, rock, show bands, and of course the mastery and creativity of Rory Gallagher! It raises the question - how much do Cork people really want his world famous guitar at home here in Cork, and how can we be successful in being part of the vision of enriching the Leeside? We must all donate to Cork's Music Museum."

I can envisage this. I have been for years.