The formal naming of Cork Airport’s main roadway to Rory Gallagher Avenue will take place today, on the 30th anniversary of the guitar legend’s passing.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will unveil new signage of the main roadway, accompanied by Rory’s brother Dónal Gallagher and other Gallagher family members.
Dónal Gallagher remarked: “This is a wonderful tribute to my brother, with the naming of the Cork Airport thoroughfare Rory Gallagher Avenue/Ascaill Ruairí Ó Gallachóir, a roadway he traversed throughout his lifetime to engage with his international career. Our family are deeply honoured by this heartfelt gesture, on the occasion of his 30th anniversary.”
The renaming of the airport road is part of a bigger initiative by the Rory Gallagher Estate, the Cork City Council and Cork City Libraries, who are organising citywide memorial celebrations for the guitarist, called ‘Cork Rocks for Rory’.
“Rory Gallagher has been Cork’s finest cultural export across the world. As we mark the 30th anniversary of his passing, we must celebrate his genius,” said Cllr Dan Boyle, the Lord Mayor of Cork.
Born at Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon in 1948, Rory Gallagher was reared in Cork City but remains a celebrated figure in his birthplace.
In 1965, a 17-year-old Rory Gallagher flew from Cork to Spain for an eight-week music residency, marking the start of his international career with Cork Airport as his crucial link to global fame and home. After his passing, a campaign to rename the airport in his honour led to Cork Airport deciding to rename the airport road after him in October 2024.
