The news that Rory Gallagher’s iconic Fedner Stratocaster is to be sold at auction this October has caused quite a chain reaction of events.
First, the daughter of the man who sold Gallagher what's reported to be the first Fender Stratocaster to make its way to Irish shores – for £100 in 1963 – set up a fundraising campaign to buy the guitar and make it the centerpiece of a music museum in Cork.
Now, senior political figures in Ireland are echoing the sentiments of the campaign, with the Irish government considering purchasing Gallagher's beloved six-string due to its national significance.
The instrument first belonged to Jim Conlon of The Royal Showband. He then reportedly sold the guitar to Crowley’s Music Store in Cork, Ireland six months later, because he was upset that a sunburst model was sent instead of the red finish he’d ordered.
Gallagher, who was 16 when he bought the instrument, paid for it in installments, and forged a reputation as one of the electric guitar’s greatest-ever players with it under his fingertips.
He was rarely seen without it, leading his nephew Daniel to tell Guitarist, “truthfully, it was his wife.”
The guitar is set to stand as the main feature of Bonham's "The Rory Gallagher Collection" during an auction in October, where it is estimated to fetch up to £1,000,000.
The Irish deputy Prime Minister [Tánaiste] and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, says he is bringing the matter to the attention of the country’s Heritage Minister, Catherine Martin.
“I would love to [keep it in Ireland] if we could,” he stated. “I will talk to [Minister] Catherine Martin and see what is possible. But it would be lovely if we could get that guitar back on Leeside.”
He adds that during his spell as Lord Mayor of Cork (1992-93), he hosted a civic reception for Gallagher, having witnessed him prove why he is one of the nation’s most beloved guitar players.
“I have very fond memories (of the civic reception) – he played in the Everyman Theatre,” he told The Irish Times. “His brother Donal was there on the night and I asked Donal if Rory would mind being honored tomorrow.
“Donal said he was extremely shy and that he shied away from all these kind of public events, but he did come in and we had a small group of about 40 people. I have very fond memories of that day in Cork City Hall.”
Martin is tentative about what level of involvement the government can provide. However, conscious of the instrument's cultural significance, he says he is exploring his options.
The current Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, who saw Rory Gallagher play numerous times in the early '80s, has backed Martin's ambitions and called on the government to do what it can.
“Rory Gallagher’s guitar is very distinctive and is probably one of the most recognizable guitars in rock history,” he says.
“Rory was one of the first to put Irish rock on the international stage so it’s an important item culturally, and I think it’s important that it should be kept in the State, so that’s why I’ve made contact with Government departments and State agencies.”
At the time of writing, the fundraising campaign, which has helped raise awareness of the importance of keeping the guitar in Gallagher’s homeland, has raised over €20,000 from over 400 donations. It has a target of €1m set.
The Bonham's auction is set to take place on October 17.
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