Church of the Holy Spirit, Dennehy's Cross

Rory Gallagher died on the morning of Wednesday June 14, 1995.

He was admitted to London's King's College Hospital in March 1995, and it was only then that the extent of his ill health became apparent; his liver was failing and the doctors determined that, in spite of his relatively young age, a liver transplant was the only possible course of action.

After thirteen weeks in intensive care, while waiting to be transferred to a convalescent home, his health suddenly worsened when he contracted a staphylococcal (MRSA) infection, and he died at the age of 47.

News of Rory’s passing came as a shock to many as his ill health was kept private.

His body was flown back to Cork on Friday the 16th of June where he lay at the O'Connor Funeral Home in Temple Hill so that Family, friends and Fans could say their last goodbyes.

On the morning of Monday June 19, Rory Gallagher was driven through the streets of the city where he grew up for the last time, passing MacCurtain Street to tears and rounds of affecting applause.

At the Church of the Holy Spirit in Dennehy’s Cross, thousands of people turned up to fill the church and its grounds for Rory’s funeral mass.

Many musicians joined the crowds including The Edge and Adam Clayton from U2, Martin Carthy, members of the Dubliners, Clannad, and Gary Moore

Band members from times past, Mark Feltham played "Amazing Grace," on the harmonica and Lou Martin played a piano rendition of Rory's song “A Million Miles Away,"

Following the Mass, Rory an inspiration and light to so many, was carried out to be laid to rest.