Concerns were raised within government circles when it was announced that Rory Gallagher’s iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar would be auctioned at Bonham’s in London last year. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who had hosted a civic reception for Gallagher during his tenure as Lord Mayor of Cork in the early 1990s, made it clear that the government would try to ensure the guitar stayed in Ireland. Desmond’s Live Nation Gaiety Productions stepped in to purchase the guitar for just over €1 million, with the intention of donating it to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI).
According to figures released by the Department of Arts, the arrangement proved mutually beneficial. The guitar, along with other Gallagher memorabilia, was donated to the NMI through a scheme called Section 1003. This program allows donors to receive an 80% tax break on the value of the heritage item they contribute. The gift, valued at €1,161,483, means that Desmond’s company stands to benefit from a €929,186 tax break as a result of the donation.
While the deal is largely seen as a win, Desmond’s hopes of keeping the guitar in his native Cork appear to have been dashed. Although Gallagher originally purchased the guitar in Cork in 1963, the NMI plans to feature it as the centerpiece of a new exhibition at Collins Barracks in Dublin, set to open in September. Unfortunately, visitors to the exhibition will not have the opportunity to play the guitar themselves.
Meanwhile, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary recently made headlines for his extensive land purchases in Westmeath. Last summer, O’Leary acquired just over 250 acres of land in Delvin and Collinstown, adding to the approximately 2,000 acres he already owns in the area. He recently paid €1.45 million for an additional 58 acres near his Gigginstown estate, reflecting his strong attachment to the land. This includes a residential farm in Crowenstown, which his representative purchased at auction before Christmas. His property investment vehicle, Bradley Investments, has since applied for planning permission to extend a house on the farm.
O’Leary, who made his fortune through Ryanair, seems to be increasingly drawn to rural life, though he has distanced himself from any ambitions of becoming a local land magnate.
Elsewhere, rock musician Joe Elliott of Def Leppard found himself in a rather unusual planning dispute with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The issue stemmed from a treehouse built in the garden of his Stepaside home, which the council initially deemed unauthorized. The Elliott family eventually secured retrospective planning permission, but the council stipulated that the structure could only be used for children’s play. In a similar vein, Elliott recently applied for retention permission for a 9-square-meter gazebo in his garden, which his planning consultant assured the council was merely for ornamental purposes.
David Duffy, the former CEO of Virgin Money UK, has recently set his sights on further development at his West Cork residence. Duffy, who is now the CEO of Clydesdale Bank, applied for planning permission to demolish an outbuilding and build a new 45-square-meter home office and gym at his Victorian home, Roaring Water House, near Skibbereen. Having earned millions from the sale of Virgin Money to Nationwide last year, Duffy can easily afford this new construction project.
On a different note, RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey appears to be profiting from his extracurricular activities. Morrissey, whose personal company Mutton Island Productions made a profit of €34,866 last year, has been seeking permission from RTÉ to take on various external gigs. His company’s retained profits now total €77,686. Meanwhile, the timing of a recent exposé by RTÉ Investigates on the Christian Brothers’ wealth and abuse scandals has been affected by the passing of Pope Francis. The investigation, initially scheduled for broadcast, has now been delayed by a week, though the broadcaster confirmed it will air at peak viewing time.
Finally, in a more unexpected twist, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association recently lobbied the Taoiseach and Tánaiste Simon Harris for the reinstatement of a €3,000 grant for each shed. The lobbying group, which met with both government leaders before the last general election, filed a return showing the charity’s successful push for financial support.
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