Kilcar native Rory Gallagher is a musician living in Lanzorote where he is the co-owner and resident musician in the Island Bar, Old Town (which has been named the number one bar in Lanzorote)!
Rory played the bass guitar and was the voice for The Revs. The Revs released several hit singles and albums, playing at Oxygen, Slane Castle, and touring the world with bands such as the Kaiser Chiefs, Foo Fighters and Muse.
Rory launched his solo career in 2008 with the release of “God Bless the Big Bang” and regularly uploads his original songs to his Youtube channel. His videos get thousands of views, with his most popular song being the 2012 classic ‘Jimmy’s Winning Matches’ which has over a million views!
This is Rory’s Donegal…
What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
Kilcar, I might be biased because it is my hometown, but apart from that the coastal scenery is stunning and the people are good craic.
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
The fact that I am not living there!
Who is the one person that you look up to and why?
There are so many people in Donegal in all the different communities who work with the youth and the elderly for next nor no pay just to make the place better. Men who will train an under 12s team on a cold rainy evening in February, or nurses in the hospices, those kind of people, the heroes who fly under the radar!
What’s your happiest memory in Donegal?
We went to see Boyzone when they mimed in the Limelight in Glenties in 1994 and my friend hit Ronan Keating with an ice cube, Ronan saw him from the stage and slapped him in the face, that made me very happy indeed.
What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
To see Seamus Coleman from Killybegs Captain the Rep. of Ireland team in the Euros in June was quite exceptional.
2012 GAA was good craic as well!
If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
Cancer treatment options, always having to travel so far is tough on families
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
I have a clock with Daniel O Donnell’s face on it, I love it.
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
The actor Sean McGinley always comes across as a real educated gentleman whenever I see him on TV being interviewed, and we forget the amount of Hollywood blockbusters he was actually in! He always mentions Donegal with great fondness
What has been the biggest compliment you’ve ever received?
U2 tipped my former band “The Revs” as the only young Irish band worth talking about in a press conference in 2001, that was pretty overwhelming.
Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Growing up it was the likes of Martin McHugh or Packie Bonner, in recent times it would be Jim McGuinness, Seamie Coleman and Jason Quigley to name a few. I find it hard to just name one!
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
Mammy’s kitchen!
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
“He was in tight shape”
What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Speaking from my own experience it would be “not moving away”! I think the recession is ending slower in rural areas like Donegal , so that is tough on young people.
What is your favourite food that you associate with Donegal?
Freshly caught mackerel straight into the grill, I used to love that in the summers.
Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
The recent fascination with bad country music is a bit worrying haha … but I suppose it’s a lot better than having young people drive around listening to gangster rap stabbing each other! lol
Do you have a favourite local band?
I really like the music Little Hours released last year, I like the Lock-ins, and if my brother Sean ever forms a band it will be awesome!
Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?
From a market place in Jamaica, that was a bit odd.
What is the biggest thing you miss about home?
My family and friends.
Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
The fact that Donegal was always a bit of an overlooked county but the people were so hard working that when they moved abroad to places like New York, Chicago, London etc they normally ended up running massive businesses, with little or no business training or university education, this is a phenomenal achievement.
It goes to show what drive, willpower, hard work and a bit of Donegal charm can get you in this life if you want it!
Rory with his family – we’re sure his little man will be a musical prodigy with his dad to teach him!
To keep up with Rory you can find him on Youtube, Facebook, or his website!
Tags: