Woman behind campaign to keep Rory Gallagher's guitar in Cork honoured

Sheena Crowley has been announced as the Cork Person of the Month for January 2025. 

She has been recognised for her campaign to keep singer-songwriter Rory Gallagher’s guitar in the country along with her contribution to the Cork music community across several decades.

Ms Crowley, who runs Crowley’s Music Centre, played a central role in raising awareness publicly of Rory’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster going on sale and the potential for it to be sold to an overseas investor and relocated abroad. 

Through her relentless campaigning, appearances in the media, and organising of a tribute concert in the City Hall, she ensured that keeping the guitar in Ireland remained top of agenda for the Cork music community along with businesses, members of the public and politicians.

Campaigning

As a result of Ms Crowley’s campaigning, a meeting was arranged between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media and Live Nation Gaiety Ltd, who ultimately purchased the guitar and are set to donate it to the National Museum of Ireland.

Once the donation goes through, the iconic Strat will be owned by the State, and it will be made available for public viewing and including in Cork.

Ms Crowley said: “Everyone in Cork loves Rory, but he has held a particularly special place in my family’s heart since he bought the Strat from my father in 1963. 

"It would have been an awful waste for Rory’s guitar, that brought joy to so many, to be sold overseas and potentially just held in storage for years.

“It took a lot of work, but I’m delighted that the campaign to keep the guitar in Irish hands ultimately proved successful and I’m thrilled that it will be put on display for the public to enjoy. 

"Rory is a cultural icon in Cork, Ireland and across the world’s rock and blues community, and I’m sure that he will continue to be celebrated for decades to come.”