A campaign to rename Cork International Airport in honour of the Cork-reared bluesman and guitar icon, Rory Gallagher, is gaining further momentum as over 10,00 people from around the world have signed a petition in favour of the name change.
Despite the considerable support the proposed name change has garnered, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is unconvinced the move is viable.
The Minister pointed out that Cork Airport is loss-making and heavily in debt and his priority was ensure the airport survived the recession – in that context, it might be worth looking at auctioning the naming rights to a campaign or company. However, Varadkar did recognize that “Rory Gallagher was a fine musician and artist and the people of Cork are justly proud of his association with the city”.

Rory’s brother Donal told Hot Press that he was profoundly moved by how many people were so eager to get Rory recognised in such a special way.
“I think it’d be fitting considering Rory made such use of the Airport travelling internationally during his lifetime. Cork was Rory’s home and it’s where he’s buried, there’s no doubt in my mind that he would be incredibly touched by the gesture”.