St Kieran's College, Camden Quay

Camden Quay here is where the school Rory completed his education before turning to becoming a full-time musician.

On settling in Cork in 1958 after living in Derry, Rory & his brother Donal enrolled with the North Monastery School, located at Our Lady’s Mount in the north of the city.

Rory had briefly attended the District model school previously during an earlier Cork stay but

Both brothers found it tough on their arrival for good in Cork, as their northern accents from Derry were a novelty that brought unwanted curiosity from classmates initially before being accepted and making friends.

The culture of Ireland at the time with its heavy influence of the church saw both Gallagher boys have a mixed experience at the North Monastery despite Rory in particular excelling in his schoolwork. As his interest grew in music and performing, Rory drew the attention of some of the Christian Brothers running the North Monastery who were not tolerant of some of the music of the time emerging that young people were into.

After some time, nearly 6 months out from completing his Leaving Cert, Rory left the North Monastery to attend Saint Kieran’s College that was in one of the red brick buildings to the west of the quay. Also, coincidentally while talking of Leaving Cert exams, in June 2025, the Irish Paper 2 had a comprehension section based on Rory Gallagher!

Saint Kieran’s was a mixed school that was more tolerant of the Arts and understanding of Rory’s ambition to become a professional musician. The Principal of St. Kieran’s at the time, Mr. Leahy allowed Rory time for this saying that as long as Rory got his homework done and he made up the hours if he turned up late after a show. 

While Rory gained experience on the boards of stages with the Fontana Showband and later the Impact, Saint Kieran’s provided the environment for him to stay on his path while also completing the formalities of his secondary education. In later years, Micheal Martin, the Taoiseach of Ireland in 2025 was a teacher here at this College.

Also to note on the Camden Quay in more recent years, stood a community arts centre called Camden Palace that opened in 2009 here. The centre was located where the Moxy Hotel currently is on the corner of the quay.

Camden Palace Hotel Community Arts Centre created a Rory Gallagher Music Studio in his honour to celebrate Rory on his 20th anniversary in 2015 with an all age concert and exhibitions.

This independent venue for all the arts with facilities, studios & events closed in 2016 to make way for the building’s redevelopment.

The parallel location on Camden Quay where Rory learnt was a fitting location in tribute for the 20th anniversary at the time, some photographs of the arts venue and celebrations can be found here:

The former Rory Gallagher Music Studios, Camden Palace, Camden Quay