Rory Gallagher fans campaign for Temple Bar memorial

Rory Gallagher fans are up in arms over the rejected proposal of a memorial sculpture in Temple Bar.

The sculpture – a bronze replica of Gallagher's trademark Fender Stratocaster – was to be in erected in tribute to the iconic guitarist at Rory Gallagher Corner in Temple Bar.

Located at the entrance to Meeting House Square on Essex Street, the only distinguishing feature of the Corner is that it bears a street sign reading "Rory Gallagher Corner".

But the proposal to erect a sculpture under the sign has been opposed by the National Library of Ireland, which leases the building (and said corner) to house the National Photographic Archive.

Responding to the planning application, the Office of Public Works expressed that "[The Archive] are totally opposed to the idea as they feel it would adversely impact on the identity of the Archive".

The move has effectively blocked the project, which was initiated by Gallagher fans from the Music Maker equipment retailer and supported by Fender to coincide with their 50th anniversary. An online petition has been set up to appeal to the National Photographic Archive.

Speaking to hotpress.com, Music Maker's General Manager Lesley Kane stressed that the project was entirely independent: "This is not just a publicity stunt – it goes to the heart and soul of Irish rock and roll."

The project's organiser, Mark Walsh, added that there was nothing commercial in the appearance of the memorial: "Fender had indicated that they would pay for this but we made it absolutely clear in the proposal that there'd be no mention of musical retailers or companies or anything.

"The only detail on the guitar would be the Fender logo, which would be on every guitar, and which would be nearly illegible from the street level (15 feet below). And there was not going to be a plaque saying 'Erected by the people of Dublin and Fender,."

Walsh explained that the positioning of the bronzed guitar – placed underneathe the sign – was fundamental to the memorial. "The overall memorial would be the street sign and the guitar. The idea of placing the guitar in another place simply makes no sense," he said.

"I don't want to sound all mushy but it was an inspired kind of artistic statement - without being crass and in your face and without trying to have a statue of Rory Gallagher erected. Just a simple statement – this is a man who played guitar. It would be a tourist attraction, and people would get their photographs taken with it – but that would be the essence of it.

The petition, which has thus far collected over 580 signatures, will be presented to the National Photographic Archive as a testament to Rory Gallagher's pre-eminence in Irish popular culture. Walsh believes that the Archive – as an arm of the National Library of Ireland – should not discriminate between the arts.

"It just seems to me like some sort of snobbery - that's it's a big institution in Ireland and they're not used to dealing with people like me or they're not used to rock 'n' roll. The archive contains photographs of ordinary Irish people in Dublin, and the library is meant to serve us - the National Library is our library. And it's a lack of understanding that popular music and rock 'n' roll is embedded into Irish culture - we've embraced it and I feel very passionately about this."

Walsh admitted that even with the Archive's permission, the project still needs further planning permission to proceed. But he is hoping the petition will at the very least, be justified with a "reasonable explanation" as to the Library's opposition.

"I them to want them to publicly answer me - and the fans of Rory Gallagher and musicians around Ireland - as to why they think a bronze electric guitar erected to a legendary figure like Rory Gallagher would belittle their building in some way," said Walsh.

Declining to discuss the matter with hotpress.com, The National Library of Ireland issued the following press statement this morning:

"The National Library of Ireland is not in favour of the placing of a guitar on the wall of the National Photographic Archive because this would adversely impact on the identity of the Archive. The building houses the national photographic collection and has no connection with any form of music. In our view there are other walls in the vicinity of the Archive building that would provide a more suitable site so our rejection of the proposal does not mean that it cannot go ahead in another and more suitable location."

Meanwhile, next week sees Cork's Central Library unveil the Rory Gallagher Music Library. The existing collection - which houses recordings and books covering classical, jazz, opera, folk and rock - will be dedicated in honour of Rory Gallagher.

To sign the petition in favour of the Rory Gallagher memorial, click here.