The Rory Gallagher Music Library

The Rededication by Cork City Council was performed in October 2004 at a ceremony attended by over 200 of his great legion of fans, some of whom travelled from several countries in Europe and further afield. The rededication was performed by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Sean Martin, following an introduction by City Librarian, Liam Ronanye, and an appraisal by City Manager, Joe Gavin, of the merits of the library service and an appreciation of the contribution of the staff involvement in the event.

Rory’s brother Donal Gallagher then spoke of the tremendous fan base still dedicated (and had a special word for Eric Kitteringham who was present, an original member of Taste) to Rory and of the respect and acclaim of the worlds great guitarists and the music industry media for Rory Gallagher, the man and the Artist. He presented several mementos which will go on permanent display in the Rory Gallagher Music Library including Mounted Prints, Golden discs and a Guitar a Fender Stratocaster presented to Donal by the Fender company of California and signed by some of the worlds greatest guitarists. Donal then spoke of the great goodwill that there is for Rory and of the tremendous effort of the Music Library staff, particularly Kitty Buckley and Mary Fitzgerald who had worked so diligently to make this permanent commemoration to Rory a success. Monica Gallagher, Rory’s mother then cut the ribbon to reveal the Innovative Signage and Artifacts now on permanent display including Mounted Prints and Golden Discs in the Rory Gallagher Music Library.

Donal Gallagher presenting the Fender Stratocaster to The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Sean Martin with Liam Ronayne, City Librarian, Mrs. Gallagher and City Manager, Joe Gavin, also present. 

Lord Mayor’s Speech

Last of the Independents

From his time with Taste in the late 1960’s until his untimely death in 1995, Rory Gallagher forged and maintained a reputation as one of the world’s great blues men.
His eminence as a Musician was widely acknowledged ever since Taste’s legendary Isle of Wight performance in 1970, leading Rory to be recognised as one of the world’s greatest guitarists. His integrity and his loyalty to the blues and blues based rock, as well as his genius as a guitarist and songwriter, earned him the love of fans all over the world. He has given us a legacy of wonderful recordings, and for those lucky enough to have heard him live, a wealth of wonderful memories.

Going to my Home Town

The Music Library in Rory’s hometown caters for a wide variety of musical interests, classical, traditional, jazz and blues, rock, Latin, African. Rory’s tastes knew no bounds, although his love of the blues was central to his life and art. Rory’s interest in literature, for instance noir writers such as Dash ell Hammett, is well known, and the Rory Gallagher Music Library will be a happy neighbour to these literary works.  

 Mrs. Monica Gallagher cutting the tape at the rededication ceremony in the presence of Donal Gallagher, Music Librarian, Mary Fitzgerald, The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Sean Martin and City Manager, Joe Gavin

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