Rock star Rory Gallagher who has sold over thirty million albums is honoured in his adopted hometown of Cork city.
Rory Gallagher's (1948-1995) musical achievements and success were recognised in Cork with the unveiling of a statue in 'The Rory Gallagher Plaza'.
For anyone growing up in the seventies, there was nothing quite like him. Rory Gallagher, blue jeans, lumber shirt and long hair. He was one of our own. Loved at home, lauded internationally.
Marcus Connaughton, broadcaster and blues fan, describes how Gallagher broke the mould by starting out in a showband and going on to become a rock star.
He always remained an enigma, never courting the popular press, forever keen to perfect his craft.
Rory's brother Donal Gallagher, talks about how Rory took his success in his stride.
Among his contemporaries, he was regarded as the best rhythm and blues guitarist in the music business.
This report also includes archive footage of Rory being interviewed about his love for the blues.
Rory's death at the age of just 47 rocked the music business and his funeral in Cork City was one of the biggest the city had ever witnessed. Following his death, tributes to the legend of blues came in many forms. In Paris, they named a street after him, and in Cork, a pub.
Tony Moore, proprietor of 'The Meeting Place' in Midleton, Cork explains where the memorabilia adorning the walls of the pub came from.
Cork City finally acknowledged its adopted son during the Cork Jazz Festival, with the statue unveiling in Rory Gallagher Plaza.
This was an emotional occasion for fans and Rory's mother Monica and his brother Donal who say it is a great honour to remember Rory in this way.
This episode of 'Nationwide' was broadcast on 14 November 1997. The reporter is Jennie O'Sullivan.
