Making history tangible: Rory Gallagher’s guitar in a new light
The National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks has unveiled the most significant expansion of its public galleries in over two decades. The Changing Ireland Galleries open with a dynamic blend of political, social, and cultural artifacts from the 20th and 21st centuries, inviting visitors to consider what Ireland means today. Central to the inaugural display is Rory Gallagher’s beloved 1961 Fender Stratocaster—a guitar with a storied journey from Cork shop shelves to international stages.
A guitar that travels through Irish memory
Rory Gallagher, one of Ireland’s most enduring blues legends, bought his Stratocaster for £100 from Crowley’s music store in Cork in 1963. Its recent ownership transition underscores a broader national storytelling goal: to illuminate ordinary objects that have become defining symbols of Ireland’s modern past. In October 2024, the guitar was bought for over €1 million at a Bonhams auction in London by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd, which subsequently donated it to the National Museum of Ireland. The instrument now anchors a gallery that brings together more than 250 objects that reflect a century of Irish life.
The Changing Ireland Galleries: a living, rotating collection
The galleries mark a planned, ongoing program of rotation to preserve artefacts for future generations while offering fresh perspectives on contemporary history. Brenda Malone, the Lead Curator for the project, explained that the design enables regular changes in the display. This approach ensures that the collections remain accessible and relevant as Ireland’s story evolves with each generation.
Objects that illuminate Ireland’s recent past
Beyond Gallagher’s guitar, visitors will encounter personal items connected to pivotal moments in Irish history. Highlights include intimate belongings tied to figures of the 1916 Rising, as well as a decommissioned RPG7 rocket launcher used by the IRA during The Troubles. Other artefacts include a pair of Berlin wool slippers worn by Michael Collins while he sheltered in a Dublin home during the War of Independence, and the purple suit worn by Mary Robinson at her presidential inauguration, crafted by designer Louise Kennedy. These pieces offer a tangible lens into the political and cultural shifts that shaped the island in the 20th and 21st centuries.
How the gallery design invites personal reflection
Visitors are greeted with a thought-provoking question: Cad Is Ann Éire Dar Leat? – What Is Ireland to You? This prompt encourages personal connections with history, turning a museum visit into a dialogue with the past. The Changing Ireland Galleries are designed to accommodate ongoing curation, so the public can engage with Ireland’s past in a meaningful, evolving way while the objects themselves are safeguarded for future generations.
Reactions from leaders and experts
Tánaiste Simon Harris emphasized that the new galleries demonstrate how Ireland’s shared history is not static but evolves with each generation. Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan highlighted the project as a legacy initiative of the Decade of Centenaries Programme, underscoring the power of cultural reflection. Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum, described the opening as a transformational moment, inviting people to connect with history on their own terms and to explore what Ireland means today. Brenda Malone noted that the dynamic rotation of objects keeps the collection alive and relevant for diverse audiences.
Visit and discovery
The Changing Ireland Galleries are a landmark for visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Ireland’s modern identity through public artefacts and personal histories. Whether you come for Rory Gallagher’s guitar or the broader tableau of 20th and 21st-century Ireland, the galleries offer a compelling, tactile route through the country’s evolving story.
