The late Cork rock icon Rory Gallagher’s guitar goes to auction in October.

Rory guitar fund slows

A fundraiser to keep Rory Gallagher’s famous guitar on Leeside has lost some momentum following news that Tánaiste Micheál Martin is exploring the possibility of the state buying the instrument.

The GoFundMe campaign is led by Sheena Crowley, daughter of Mick Crowley who sold Rory his iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster for £100.

The campaign has raised more than €20,000 in just one week, but Ms Crowley told the Cork Independent that news that the State might buy the guitar, although very welcome, has “literally stopped” donations.

“Right now, the aim is to get people back to donating,” said Ms Crowley.

“The announcement on Monday about the State buying the guitar has stopped the campaign. Although it is great news that they are really considering it, but that is only one element to it,” she added.

News broke last week that Rory’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster is to be sold along with the rest of his instrument collection at an auction in London on 17 October.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Leeside novelist and playwright, Cónal Creedon, whose sister Geraldine created the Rory Gallagher bronze memorial sculpture on Paul Street, said he would like to see a museum established to honour Cork’s musical heritage.

“Rory’s Strat is synonymous with Cork – such a colourful strand in the weave of the tapestry that is our city. I would be a delight to have it here on Leeside,” he said.

“Personally, I’d like to see a music museum, maybe located in the Shandon Craft Centre, featuring all the great bands – Frank and Walters, Sultans of Ping, Stump, Micro Disney, Five Go Down to the Sea. And celebrating our living traditional of our trad musicians that goes back to Sean O’Riada and beyond. The singer songwriters – Fiona Kennedy, John Spillane, Jimmy McCarthy, Donough Long.

“Our musical heritage is powerful – we have a river of musical creativity that stretches way back to Seán ‘Clárach’ Mac Domhnaill and beyond – and we need to look after our heritage. Rory Gallagher would be front and centre of any such museum,” added Mr Creedon.

Though reports suggest a €1 million price tag for Rory’s guitar, Sheena Crowley is certain it will go for much more.

To donate to the 'Help Bring Rory Gallagher's Strat Back to his Home Town', visit gofundme.com.