By Cédric Vernet 
In Edged in Blue, published in September 2026, Dónal Gallagher tells the story of his brother Rory Gallagher, from his first performances to international tours. Travelling through Ireland, we took the opportunity to follow in his footsteps in Dublin and Cork, with the book in our luggage.
Rory Gallagher’s brother and manager, Dónal Gallagher, shared his day-to-day life throughout his career. In Edged in Blue: A Rock ’n’ Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher, written with Jamie Dickson (editor-in-chief of Guitarist magazine) and published by Red Stripe Press, he looks back on their childhood, the Taste years, life on the road and the guitarist’s final years.
In Ireland, you soon realise how much Rory Gallagher means to people. His reputation was built on his guitar playing, but also on his connection with audiences. In his foreword, Joe Bonamassa describes a working-class hero who gave ordinary people a voice and brought people together across political, social and musical divides. In Dublin and Cork alike, his name appears on plaques, buildings and museum displays.
Dublin, our first stop
Born in Ballyshannon and raised in Cork, Rory Gallagher is also remembered in Dublin. In Temple Bar, we stop at Rory Gallagher Corner, where a reproduction of his Stratocaster hangs on a wall. Unveiled in 2006 in the presence of The Edge, this tribute stands in the heart of Dublin’s music quarter. You have to look up to spot it.
A short walk away on Curved Street, the Irish Rock ’n’ Roll Museum Experience tells the story of Irish rock from Temple Bar. Behind the pubs’ handsome façades, musicians rehearse and record too. Housed in the Button Factory and Temple Lane studios complex, the museum shares its building with rehearsal rooms and recording studios. During the tour, we pass musicians arriving to rehearse. The story is still being written.
Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy feature prominently, with bass guitars, stage clothes and personal memorabilia donated by his mother, Philomena Lynott (whose wax figure stands in the museum). In Apollo studio, we discover the imposing 72-channel Neve console. The recording scenes in Once were also filmed in these studios.
There could be more objects on display, but the rooms themselves and the stories our guide tells with such enthusiasm make the visit worthwhile. We encounter the great names of Irish rock, from Sinéad O’Connor to U2 and The Cranberries, in rooms where music is still being made today.
The area devoted to Rory Gallagher includes a Fender Stratocaster Tribute, a replica of his famous 1961 guitar. It reproduces even the wear marks and large areas of exposed wood where the finish has worn away. The information panel explains that the Fender Custom Shop team met Dónal Gallagher in California in 1997 to work on the reproduction. Beside it, a Martin D-35 tribute model recalls his acoustic playing. A double-neck guitar is also displayed nearby, not far from the tribute to Gary Moore. Rory Gallagher also appears on the Wall of Fame, alongside great voices of Irish music including the late Glen Hansard, who died tragically this year.
Cork, “his” city
Born in Ballyshannon in 1948, Rory Gallagher grew up in Cork. To follow in his footsteps, the city has created the Rory Gallagher Stompin’ Ground Walking Trail. It brings together 21 stops, from his childhood neighbourhoods to the venues where he played, taking in the former Crowley’s shop, the music library and his grave. An interactive map, historical notes and archive photographs help visitors plan their walk. We picked out a few of the stops.
We begin on Merchant’s Quay, where Crowley’s music shop once stood. Here, in August 1963, the young musician bought his 1961 Fender Stratocaster. One hundred pounds for a second-hand guitar that would become inseparable from his playing and his image. The owner, Michael Crowley, also gave him advice, repaired his instruments and lent him equipment. He was one of the people who helped the young guitarist get started.
At the Savoy, young Rory Gallagher was first in the audience
We continue along St Patrick’s Street to the Savoy, another essential stop. On 8 January 1965, the 16-year-old Rory Gallagher attended a Rolling Stones concert here. Ten years later, following Mick Taylor’s departure, the Rolling Stones invited him to play with them in Rotterdam. According to Dónal Gallagher, at the end of the sessions Mick Jagger asked him to discuss potentially joining the band with Keith Richards. But despite several attempts to wake him, Richards remained asleep in his room. With his Japanese tour about to begin, Rory Gallagher left his contact details and departed. Nothing further came of it.
The Savoy would see him return to the stage many times, with Taste and later under his own name. The cinema hosted concerts where audiences did not always remain quietly in their seats.
City Hall, following the trail of Irish Tour ’74
On Anglesea Street, City Hall takes us back to Irish Tour ’74. Rory Gallagher performed here as a youngster and returned regularly. The January 1974 concerts form part of the story of the album and Tony Palmer’s film. These Irish dates, often scheduled around the festive season, also allowed him to see his family.
A library bearing his name
On Grand Parade, the Rory Gallagher Music Library is the city library’s music department. It has borne his name since 2004. Alongside its music collections, it hosts talks, recitals and concerts. The guitarist’s name is thus part of a place that local people use every day.
The library also hosts exhibitions devoted to the guitarist. In 2025, to mark the thirtieth anniversary of his death, it displayed a selection of his vinyl records, books and lyrics. A chance to discover what Rory Gallagher listened to and read as well.
From Paul Street to Saint Oliver’s
Near Paul Street, Rory Gallagher Place has been home to a sculpture by Geraldine Creedon since 1997, with a guitar on one side and lyrics from Jinx on the other. This city-centre tribute is an easy walk from the library.
Further west, we head for Saint Oliver’s Cemetery in Carrigrohane. His grave remains a place for fans to visit. Flowers, plectrums and small mementos show that they have been there.
A life on the road
As the journey unfolds, Edged in Blue puts memories and faces to the addresses. Dónal Gallagher recalls his brother’s first performances with the Fontana Showband, which became The Impact, the Taste years, and the tours that followed, including more than twenty-five across North America. He also describes a musician who gave everything on stage but became increasingly isolated once the show was over.
Approached by Alan Parker to appear in The Commitments, Rory Gallagher turned down the role. Dónal Gallagher had hoped the experience would offer a change of pace. The guitarist suggested Van Morrison instead, but Johnny Murphy ultimately played Joey “The Lips” Fagan.
The final years were marked by depression, problems with alcohol and medication, and declining health. Rory Gallagher died on 14 June 1995, aged 47, from complications following a liver transplant. His brother recalls this period with the questions of someone who tried to help without always managing to understand what he was going through.
Since then, Dónal Gallagher has kept his brother’s recordings and archives in circulation, organised exhibitions and now written this book. Others play the songs or make the journey to Cork. Flowers and plectrums collect on his grave. Our guide at the Irish Rock ’n’ Roll Museum Experience had one recommendation to round off the visit: listen to Irish Tour ’74, his benchmark album. We are not going to disagree.
Photos: Cédric Vernet