Leading American blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa said he believes Rory Gallagher's famous 1961 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar is a national treasure and belongs in Ireland.
Mr Bonamassa, who has sold over 10 million records, and has had 27 number ones on the Billboard blues chart, lent his support to calls for the famous guitar to be bought by the State or a private benefactor when it comes up for auction later this month.
However, he has ruled himself out as a buyer, saying the guitar "doesn't belong anywhere else in the world but in Ireland".
A noted guitar collector, Mr Bonamassa said that when news of the Rory Gallagher guitar collection auction broke, he got over 150 texts asking him if he would be bidding for the 1961 Fender Stratocaster.
"I said, no. I don't believe the guitar should ever leave Ireland. I believe it is a national treasure that should stay here.
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"It doesn't belong in Los Angeles, California with me. It doesn't belong anywhere else in the world but here in Ireland. It is a national treasure", he told a gathering in Co Cork which included Rory Gallagher's brother Donal.
Mr Bonamassa lent his support as details of his plans to perform Rory Gallagher's 1974 Irish tour set in Gallagher's hometown of Co Cork next summer were released.
The concerts will mark the 30th anniversary of the death of the guitar legend.
The Rory Gallagher Collection is set for auction on 17 October at Bonhams in London.
Mr Gallagher's brother, and custodian of his legacy, Donal, said the decision to sell the collection was a difficult one and he is unsure if he will attend the auction.
"He was a collector. I can't play guitar. I spoke to the family. I have a list of opportunities we tried to make with Cork and Ireland, but time rolls on. It is a guitar with a lot of history in Ireland so I am sure it will remain here."
Donal Gallagher said he is unaware if the National Museum of Ireland has expressed any interest in acquiring any part of the collection.
Promoter Peter Aiken said he was delighted to be involved with next summer's anniversary concerts. Mr Aiken said he always wanted to do a celebration of Rory Gallagher's music.
"We first promoted Rory Gallagher in 1972. My dad left teaching in 1968 to be a concert promoter.
"In 1969 the Troubles started, and he was thinking of actually going back to teaching. Then he persuaded Rory Gallagher to come to Belfast in 1972.
"We did a show on New Year's Day at 11am because people were terrified to go out and there was a curfew in certain parts of Belfast at that time," Mr Aiken said.
He added: "And from that it gave the auld fella (his father) the confidence to approach other people to come... Led Zeppelin, Procol Harum, Pink Floyd. I don't think we would be here today if it wasn't for Rory Gallagher."
A Rory Gallagher night was recently held at Cork City Hall as part of a campaign to bring the late musician's famous guitar back to his hometown.
Organised by Sheena Crowley of Crowley's Music Centre where the late musician brought his famous guitar, the musicians on the night included Tres Hombres, Hot Guitars and Moonchild, as well as Gerry McAvoy - the Belfast bassist who played with Rory Gallagher for more than 20 years.
To date, more than €64,000 has been raised.
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