The sale of Gallagher’s collection of instruments began today at 3pm at Bonham’s auction house in London. The guitar was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd with the aim of donation to the National Museum of Ireland, where it will remain in the ownership of the State.
Culture Minister Catherine Martin said she was delighted that the guitar is returning home to Ireland.
“My Department has been working closely with the National Museum to bring this about. I have shared in the enthusiasm of the nation, and music fans in particular, that Rory’s iconic guitar would be secured as an inspirational addition to our national heritage collection and a testimonial to his many achievements.”
“I look forward to hearing more of the museum’s plans to showcase the famous Strat, which I understand will include Cork, where the legendary musician grew up”, said Ms Martin.
Another of Rory Gallagher’s guitars was also purchased by Sheena Crowley, daughter of Michael Crowley who originally sold Gallagher the guitar.
Ms Crowley purchased Gallagher’s Epiphone Coronet guitar for €13,000. She told the Echo the auction was a “nail biting experience”. She intends for the guitar to be displayed in Cork.
Ms Crowley set up a GoFundMe page in July originally with the goal of securing Gallagher’s Stratocaster, with the page raising upwards of €70,000 euro.
“We have so much music heritage in Cork, and there are hundreds of families with so many great stories and so much memorabilia that should be shared and displayed.”
A third Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar was sold for just over €22,000. The Stratocaster was donated by Fender in aid of The Music Venue Trust. The Stratocaster was signed by James Bay, Nile Rodgers, Noel Gallagher, David Gilmour, Ed O’Brien, Jools Holland, Carlos O’Connell of Fontaines D.C., Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol and many more.
Each of the 94 lots in the collection sold with hundreds of people attending the viewings of the lots ahead of the auction.
Gallagher’s siblings Donal, Celia, Daniel and Eoin were involved in the sale, which took a year to co-ordinate. A hundred Bonham staff worked to put together the auction which was described as a “labour of love” by Bonham’s auctioneer. The auctioneer thanked the Gallagher family for their “great energy, time and craic as you say in Ireland”.
