Taoiseach recommends 'magical' book about vibrant Cork community

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has recommended the work of a popular Cork author as offering an insight into the city centre community in which Rory Gallagher grew up.

The legendary bluesman was born in Ballyshannon in Co Donegal in 1948 and spent his formative years in Cork, living with his mother Monica and his younger brother Donal over his grandmother’s pub, The Modern Bar, at MacCurtain Street.

He passed away on June 14, 1995, 30 years into a career that saw him travel the world and become one the most influential musicians of all time.

Rory Gallagher Road 

Last weekend, Mr Martin unveiled Rory Gallagher Avenue, the renamed main roadway into Cork Airport, which had served as the gateway to the revered guitarist’s international career, and he revealed that he is currently reading a 1999 novel by a northside author.

“We could do with a history of MacCurtain St and Coburg St. I’m reading at the moment ‘Passion Play’ by Cónal Creedon — highly recommended, a great romp — but it seems to me that it was a unique community in that area, which Cónal is doing a lot, through novels, through writings, capture,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s quite magical, and I recommend it to you, to get a taste of the kind of environment in which Rory Gallagher grew up.”

Heart of downtown

Mr Creedon told The Echo all his works are all set in his neighbourhood in the heart of downtown Cork city, and he added that Rory was friends with his older siblings.

“As a kid growing up in this neighbourhood, there was a sense that Rory shone a very positive light on this part of town, elevated the city at a time when we were on the cusp of dramatic cultural change,” he said.

“Micheál Martin and I are the same vintage, and of course both our fathers were in the buses together and would have been good friends.

“It’s a huge endorsement and personal honour to hear that Micheál has taken the time to read my work, and his favourable comments are very appreciated.”