[WILLIAM] RORY GALLAGHER - 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995

Rory Gallagher was one of the best blues/rock guitarists in the world and also a past pupil of the Mon [The North Monastery Secondary School for boys],Born in Ballyshannon, Donegal, he grew up on MacCurtain St , Cork. He is best known for his solo albums, and for his tenure in the band Taste during the late 1960s. A multi-instrumentalist who gained a reputation as a gifted and charismatic live performer, Rory Gallagher's albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.




On 25 October 1997 a tribute sculpture to Gallagher was unveiled in the newly renamed Rory Gallagher Place (formerly St. Paul's St. Square) in Cork. The sculptor was a childhood friend of Rory, Geraldine Creedon. The two had grown up together in the McCurtain Street area of the city. The band who played at the unveiling of the statue was the Dave McHugh band, who formed Ireland's first tribute to Rory, 'Aftertaste' in 1995.







A life-size bronze statue in the shape of his Stratocaster has been installed at Rory Gallagher Corner in Dublin's Temple Bar. Some of those who attended the unveiling include The Edge of U2 and the Lord Mayor of Dublin.




A street in Ris-Orangis, a town in the Paris suburbs, was renamed Rue Rory Gallagher.

In 2004 the Rory Gallagher Music Library was opened in Cork.

A theatre in Ballyshannon has been renamed as the Rory Gallagher Theatre.

The French town of Bedoin in Vaucluse at the base of Mont Ventoux has a street named after Rory Gallagher in the old town, "Impasse Rory Gallagher"

Irish musician John Spillane released a tribute song "A Song For Rory Gallagher" on his album Hey Dreamer.

French musician Dan Ar Braz released a tribute song "Gwerz Rory" on his album La Mémoire des Volets Blancs.

English rock band The Wave Pictures recorded a song about Gallagher entitled "Live in Europe" on their 2004 album The Airplanes at Brescia.

Flynn Amps have manufactured a Rory Gallagher signature Hawk pedal cloned from Rory's actual 70's pedal.

Gallaghers Pub on MacCurtain Street is named after him.



Unfortunatly Rory was fond of the drink and in 1995 a liver transplant became necessary and was nearly successful, but just before being discharged from the hospital, an MRSA infection developed. His health quickly worsened and he died in London on 14 June 1995. He was unmarried and had no children.
Rory Gallagher's final resting place is in St Oliver's Cemetery, on Model Farm Road just outside Ballincollig. His headstone is a replica of an award he received in 1972 for International Guitarist of The Year.


There is an old story about Jimi Hendrix being asked by an interviewer after Woodstock what it was like to be the greatest guitar player in the world. Hendrix replied that he did not know. "Go ask Rory Gallagher".

<-- This is the Bronze Statue of Rory in Ballyshannon , Co Donegal.




The people of Ireland miss you Rory ......... RIP