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Irish Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Entrance to Cork Airport renamed in honour of rock legend Rory Gallagher
THE MAIN entrance road to Cork Airport has been renamed in honour of rock legend Rory Gallagher, who passed away 30 years ago this weekend. The sign for Rory Gallagher Avenue was unveiled on Saturday, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in attendance alongside members of the Gallagher family and civic leaders. The unveiling took place on the same day as the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory, a citywide tribute to the rock icon. The celebrations will include exhibitions, workshops, musical performances and a new walking trail of sites linked to Gallagher's life and career. 'Genuine rock star' The Taoiseach said the renaming of the road at Cork Airport, which will form part of the new walking trail, was a fitting tribute to the musician, who grew up in Cork after being born in Co. Donegal. "It is an immense honour to officially unveil 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' at Cork Airport," said Mr Martin. "Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music. It was a pleasure and honour to open Rory Gallagher Avenue at Cork Airport. Rory was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 14, 2025 "His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. "I want to pay tribute to the Gallagher family and all those at Cork Airport and Cork City Council in bringing about this wonderful initiative in Rory's memory." Tributes A virtuoso guitarist, Gallagher rose to fame with the band Taste before embarking on a successful solo career. He passed away in London on June 14, 1995 after contracting an infection while in hospital, aged just 47. The latest tribute follows other streets being named in his honour in Cork, Dublin and Paris. Meanwhile, there are statues of Gallagher in Belfast and Donegal, while sculptures in his memory have been erected in Cork and Dublin. He has also been featured on a set of An Post stamps and a Central Bank of Ireland commemorative coin. For more information on the Cork Rocks for Rory events, please click here. See More: Cork, Cork Airport, Rory Gallagher
The Journal
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Taoiseach unveils 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' on thirtieth anniversary of the musician's death
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has unveiled 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' at Cork Airport in memory of the late musician. The 'Avenue' is the new name for the main entrance road to the airport. An event was held at the airport today, with members of Gallagher's family joining the Taoiseach and Cork's Lord Mayor, as well as representatives of Cork's civic and business community. Martin said that it was an 'immense honour' to unveil the avenue in Gallagher's honour. 'Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music,' he said. 'His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life.' Gallagher passed away in 1995 at the age of 47 following complications from a liver transplant. During a career spanning 30 years, he played both as a solo artist and with his band Taste, and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Advertisement Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of his death. Rory Gallagher, 1973. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Cork Airport will form part of new a Rory Gallagher trail 'Stompin' Ground' – a Cork City Council initiative highlighting places and locations that were strongly associated with the musician's life and career. At today's unveiling, a well-known Belgian guitarist, Jacques Stotzem, played some of Gallagher's most notable works for those in attendance. Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle, said, 'Cork Airport will be a stop on the new 'Cork Rocks for Rory' trail, championed by Cork City Council, and will guide visitors to various locations across the city that were synonymous with Rory's life and work.' Gallagher's brother Dónal said that his family are 'deeply honoured' by the 'heartfelt gesture' in naming the entrance after Rory. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cork airport road renamed in honour of Rory Gallagher on 30th anniversary of musician's death
Gone 30 years, but certainly not forgotten in his home city, the unveiling of 'Rory Gallagher Avenue' took place at Cork Airport on Saturday morning. Fellow Leesider, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, was on hand to perform the renaming ceremony of the main thoroughfare through the airport, with Cork's lord mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, and members of the Gallagher family among those in attendance. In many ways, the airport is a fitting place to memorialise the legendary guitarist who also has a city-centre plaza named after him, and an abstract statue by Geraldine Creedon, in Cork. As airport managing director Niall MacCarthy mentioned in his address, it was from this facility that Gallagher took his first ever plane journey in June 1965, when he flew to Spain with The Impact showband for their residency at an American air force base near Madrid. Fresh from his Leaving Cert, the talented 17-year-old had reluctantly agreed to cut his trademark long hair before travelling, for fear of not being admitted to Franco-ruled Spain. Cork Airport also featured in Gallagher's final journey when the 47-year-old was returned home following his death in London on June 14, 1995. In the intervening years, the Ballyshannon-born, Cork-raised musician had established a reputation as one of the best guitarists in the world. One of Ireland's first rock stars, Gallagher was a source of pride for Corkonians who witnessed one of their own rubbing shoulders with all sorts of international luminaries. Indeed, the airport unveiling came in a week when the music world was mourning the loss of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, both figures that Gallagher had shared bills with. Gallagher toured extensively in the US and Europe, but his younger brother Dónal recalled how Rory had always retained his affection for his hometown. 'Coming back to Cork Airport was the moment he always cherished and always loved. And the family and I are so deeply honoured. Thank you to everyone for turning out,' said Dónal. Karen Skelly from Ballyshannon, Keery Irvine from Belfast and Fiona Campbell at the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory. Picture: Darragh Kane During his speech at the event, the Taoiseach also recalled Gallagher's humility, describing how, during his tenure as Lord Mayor of Cork in 1993, he had to coax a the shy and reluctant star into attending a civic reception following a benefit gig at the Everyman Theatre for Bosnian refugees. 'Rory Gallagher was a genuine rock star who inspired people right around the world with his music,' added Mr Martin. 'His legacy is one which reverberates across Cork, and it is only fitting that he is honoured in the city where he spent much of his life. I want to pay tribute to the Gallagher family and all those at Cork Airport and Cork City Council in bringing about this wonderful initiative in Rory's memory.' Rebecca Loughry and Sarah Wrixon at the launch of Cork Rocks for Rory. Picture: Darragh Kane The airport unveiling also coincided with an ongoing Cork Rocks For Rory event that the City Council is running with the Gallagher family. A number of Rory-related exhibitions, discussions and other events are taking place across the city, culminating in three concerts by American guitarist Joe Bonamassa at the Marquee on July 1-3.
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
'Celebrate his genius' - Cork to rock for Rory Gallagher anniversary
From the main roadway into Cork Airport being named after him, to concerts, exhibitions and a city-wide walking trail, the 30th anniversary of the death of guitarist Rory Gallagher is being widely marked this weekend in Cork City. Cork Rocks for Rory festival is supported by both Cork city and county councils. Announcing details of the memorial weekend, Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Dan Boyle said marking the 30th anniversary of his passing allows the city to "celebrate his genius". While born in Co Donegal in 1948, the blues and rock guitarist who was widely regarded as a virtuoso, grew up in Cork City. This is the first time the city has celebrated his international career on such a large scale. Last October, his famous 1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar was purchased at auction for just over €1 million by Live Nation Gaiety Limited and donated to the National Museum of Ireland. Fans, new and old, are expected to flock to the city to mark the 30th anniversary of his death in 1995 from complications after a liver transplant. Thousands attended his funeral service at the Church of the Holy Ghost, while his grave with its sunburst headstone in St. Oliver's Cemetery remains a must-see for fans. Tomorrow, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will officially name the main roadway within Cork Airport 'the Rory Gallagher Road'. He will be joined by members of the Gallagher family, among them his brother and manager, Donal Gallagher. A brand-new permanent walking trail 'Stompin Ground' will mark out the venues where the guitar legend played and the places that shaped his life. Cork City Hall, which hosted his legendary home town Christmas concerts, will host a photographic exhibition of never before seen images. 🎸 Cork Rocks for Rory🎼 ℹ️ Opening on June 14, to mark 30 year's since his passing, an exhibition about Rory Gallagher's Early Years in Cork up to Taste MK2 will be launched. 📍 Cork City Council Atrium 🕐 10 - 4 - Monday - Friday 📅 Open until July 4 — Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) June 5, 2025 The Cork Public Museum's is hosting 'The Continental Op' exhibition which Curator Dan Breen says includes family archives, and a number of instruments including the mandolin on which 'Going to My Hometown' was most often played. The city already has a Rory Gallagher Music Library at Cork's main public library. A collection of Rory's writings can be found on display, as well as selections from his personal vinyl and book collections including detective novels, and his Beatles 'Revolver' album.
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cork Rocks for Rory: Tribute to Rory Gallagher launches with citywide events and exhibitions
The Rory Gallagher estate, in collaboration with Cork City Council and Cork City Libraries, is hosting a citywide tribute to the guitar legend to mark the 30th anniversary of his death. Cork Rocks for Rory will see photographic and original memorabilia exhibitions take place at iconic buildings across the city this June, as well as a city-wide walking trail that will commemorate the life and legacy of the blues and rock icon. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle remembered Rory Gallagher as Cork's 'finest cultural export across the world' and highlighted the importance of celebrating his genius on the 30th anniversary of his death. The musician's nephew, Eoin Gallagher, said: 'The popularity and interest in Rory's music and life has only continued to grow and grow here in Ireland and throughout the world. 'We are delighted to support these simultaneous exhibitions and the establishment of the permanent 'Rory Gallagher's 'Stompin' Ground' Cork City Walking Trail.' He said the initiative would help provide visitors to Cork, many of whom are Rory Gallagher fans, with information about the places the musician lived, learned, and performed in the city. 'The Rory Gallagher estate is committed to continuing to share the magic of Rory Gallagher's music and look forward to building together with Cork City Council and future partners in continuing to honour Rory's legacy and Cork roots,' he said. Cork City librarian David O'Brien described the 'Cork Rocks for Rory' initiative as a wonderful opportunity to honour Gallagher's legacy. He said it was especially pleasing for Cork City Library, given the music library is named after him. Events taking place from June 14 include a display of Gallagher's first guitar and first recordings at a photographic exhibition, which will include never-before-seen images of the musician; a display of some of Gallagher's handwritten lyrics; selections from his personal vinyl and book collections; and a display of Gallagher's tour memorabilia, instruments, and amps. Read More Rising numbers prompts benediction at Cork's historic Eucharistic Procession to move outdoors
