Gallagher home sold for tune of €2.9m

THE family home of the late guitar legend Rory Gallagher sold at a private auction yesterday, beating the winter blues.

Greenbanks, on the Well Road in Douglas, made just under €2.9 million, earning it the title of record sale of the year for a Cork city house. It was expected to sell for more than €1.5m, though an adjoining site on the Well Road, guided separately at €500,000, was included yesterday in the spectacular sale by estate agent Brian Olden of Cohalan Downing.

Such was the level of interest in what was one of the best-sited homes to go on sale this year in Rory Gallagher’s hometown that Mr Olden brought the sale to a head at private auction.

At least five bidders attended and the four-bed, 1930s house on an acre of gardens by Douglas estuary sold for a sum believed to be just under €2.9m.

Lived in since the 1980s by Rory Gallagher’s mother Monica, who died in August, Greenbanks is set for considerable further financial input, while the Government will get €260,000 in stamp duty from the sale.

Ms Gallagher is survived by her son Donal, who managed Rory Gallagher’s career.

The house was bought in trust by P J O’Driscoll and Co solicitors.

Rory Gallagher died in London on June 14, 1995, from complications following a liver transplant.