New collector coin commemorating musician Rory Gallagher presented to President Michael D. Higgins

• The limited edition silver proof coin marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of well-known musician Rory Gallagher
• Coin presented by Governor Philip R. Lane to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin
• Available to buy from Tuesday 18 September for €60 on www.collectorcoins.ie

The Central Bank of Ireland has unveiled the Rory Gallagher €15 silver proof limited edition commemorative coin, which is the first in a three coin series entitled “Modern Irish Musicians” running from 2018-2020. Struck in .925 sterling silver, the coin commemorates the world-renowned musician with an image of Rory Gallagher playing the guitar against a backdrop of a vinyl record over an image of a map of world. The official unveiling was held at the Irish President’s official residence of Áras an Uachtaráin, where Central Bank Governor Philip R. Lane presented the Rory Gallagher silver coin to President Michael D. Higgins. Rory Gallagher’s brother, Dónal Gallagher, and coin designer Michael Guilfoyle were also presented with a coin at the event.

Born in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal and spending much of his life in Co. Cork, the self-taught musician became an internationally acclaimed folk hero. Gallagher formed the band Taste in the 1960’s, a blues, rock and R&B trio. After Taste disbanded, Gallagher went on to tour worldwide on his solo career and release many albums, including ‘Tattoo’, ‘Against the Grain’ and ‘Live in Europe’. To date, over 30 million copies of his albums have sold worldwide. Rory died in 1995 aged 47.

The €15 Silver Proof Rory Gallagher coin is on sale from Tuesday 18 September for €60. It has an issue limit of 3,000 and can be purchased on www.collectorcoins.ie

The ‘Modern Irish Musicians’ series will include silver coins commemorating Phil Lynott in 2019 and Luke Kelly in 2020.

President Higgins' speech at the presentation can be viewed here.