Rory Gallagher’s famous guitar coming home to Ireland after auction sale

A Fender Stratocaster guitar which belonged to stone and blues instrumentalist Rory Gallagher is to beryllium donated to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) aft it sold astatine auction successful London.

The guitar belonging to the precocious instrumentalist and songwriter sold for £889,400 (1,068,956 euro) astatine Bonhams auction house.

Ireland’s civilization curate Catherine Martin confirmed that it had been bought by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd with a presumption to donation.

The acquisition statement ensures the celebrated guitar volition present beryllium preserved successful the ownership of the Irish authorities and made disposable to presumption for the nationalist and Gallagher’s fans astir the world.

Ms Martin said: “I americium perfectly delighted that Rory’s guitar is coming location to Ireland.

“My section has been moving intimately with the National Museum to bring this about.

“The palmy acquisition, successful relation with the NMI, is hugely welcome.

The generous donation to the depository volition not lone let the celebrated instrumentality to beryllium protected for aboriginal generations and musicians, but volition besides pull visitors from acold and wide

Catherine Martin

“Since the merchantability of the Rory Gallagher postulation was announced, I person shared successful the enthusiasm of the nation, and euphony fans successful particular, that Rory’s iconic guitar would beryllium secured arsenic an inspirational summation to our nationalist practice postulation and a testimonial to his galore achievements.

“Rory Gallagher was instrumental successful establishing Ireland connected a planetary signifier arsenic a centre for stone music.”

Ms Martin added: “Rory achieved occurrence astir the satellite with his authentic blues-based benignant and was beloved by fans for his galore albums and legendary unrecorded performances.

“The generous donation to the depository volition not lone let the celebrated instrumentality to beryllium protected for aboriginal generations and musicians, but volition besides pull visitors from acold and wide.”

Gallagher was calved successful Co Donegal but his household aboriginal relocated to Cork.

He became celebrated with his set Taste successful the 1960s.

He died successful 1995 astatine the property of 47.

He bought the Fender Stratocaster for £100 connected recognition from the proprietor of Crowley’s Music Store successful Cork successful 1963 and it became synonymous with him.

The 94-lot auction connected Thursday featured guitars, amps and accessories from Gallagher’s beingness and career. The auction made a full of £2.3 million.

We are besides delighted that Rory’s 1961 Strat volition beryllium returning to Ireland, wherever it tin beryllium shared with his fans for generations to come

Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother

Donal Gallagher, Rory’s member and erstwhile manager, said: “We person been overwhelmed by the effect to this auction and the outpouring of emotion and respect shown towards Rory and his unthinkable legacy.

“Rory meant truthful overmuch to truthful galore people, and we privation to convey everyone who took portion successful the auction and everyone who shared their ain memories of Rory with us.

“It has been astir 30 years since my brother’s passing, and though it was a hard determination to portion with this collection, I americium grateful that these treasured instruments tin present circuit the globe arsenic Rory did, spreading his euphony and memory.

“We are besides delighted that Rory’s 1961 Strat volition beryllium returning to Ireland, wherever it tin beryllium shared with his fans for generations to come.”