'It's coming home': Rory Gallagher's famous €840k Fender Stratocaster purchased for National Museum of Ireland

The atmosphere in Bonham’s in London has been described as “weird” and deflated” as Rory Gallagher’s Sunburst Fender Stratocaster guitar sold  for £700,000 (€840k), less than the £1m (€1.2m) it had been expected to fetch.

The guitar will be donated to the National Museum of Ireland following its purchase by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd.

The bidding began on Lot 62 just after 5.50pm with the bidding starting at £450,000 (€540k), climbing quickly to a telephone bid of £700,000 (€840k).

There it stayed for what felt like ages but was in reality only two minutes or so before the hammer dropped.

The guitar had been bought on hire purchase for £100 by Rory’s mother Monica from Michael Crowley in Crowley’s Music Centre on Merchant’s Quay in 1963.

Sheena Crowley, Michael’s daughter, had started a GoFundMe campaign, initially to raise €1m to bring Rory Gallagher’s Strat home to Cork, before this week setting the target at a modest €100,000, in the hope of buying some of Rory’s less famous instruments.

Ms Crowley, who attended the auction, purchased a 1963 Epiphone Coronet guitar, which sold for £11,000, but with commission, VAT and conversion to euro, it came to €23,000.

Ms Crowley said the atmosphere in the auction room had been “nail biting” earlier in the auction, but it had turned “weird” as the Strat was sold, with no counter bidding, and she said the atmosphere felt “deflated”.

She added that there was considerable speculation in the room that the mystery buyer might have been the Irish Government.

Rory Gallagher ed away 29 years ago, at the age of 47, three decades into a career that had seen him tour the world and become one of the most influential musicians of all time.

Rory’s collection of instruments and memorabilia was sold by his estate, and in August, Donal Gallagher, Rory’s brother and manager, told The Echo the decision to sell had not been easy.

He said he had made “umpteen visits into City Hall over the years” in fruitless efforts to establish a permanent exhibition of Rory’s memorabilia in Cork.

"The reality is we’re after 25 years of insurance, storing, attempted thefts, you name it”.

The guitar has been secured for National Museum of Ireland with from Live Nation Gaiety Ltd.

Following the sale today at auction in London of Rory Gallagher’s Fender Stratocaster, Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, expressed her appreciation of the special effort made to ensure the guitar will return to Ireland on a permanent basis and be on exhibition for music enthusiasts and the general public in acknowledgement of a pioneering musician and iconic performer.

The guitar has been purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd with a view to donation to the National Museum of Ireland under Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. This follows prior s and discussions between the Department, the NMI and the purchaser, ahead of the significant auction of the legendary guitarist’s instruments and items today. 

The purchase agreement ensures the famous Strat will now be preserved in the ownership of the state, and made available to view for the public and Rory Gallagher’s fans around the world.

Minister Martin said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Rory’s guitar is coming home to Ireland. 

"My Department has been working closely with the National Museum to bring this about. 

The successful acquisition, in association with the NMI, is hugely welcome. Since the sale of the Rory Gallagher collection was announced, 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. 

Rory Gallagher was instrumental in establishing Ireland on a global stage as a centre for rock music. Rory achieved success around the world with his authentic blues based style and was beloved by fans for his many albums and legendary live performances.

“The generous donation to the museum will not only allow the famous instrument to be protected for future generations and musicians, but will also attract visitors from far and wide. 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.”