At the age of 47, the Donegal-born Cork guitarist passed away in 1995.

Dónal, Rory's brother and former manager, is selling the Stratocaster. He previously shared the guitar's history on RTÉ's News at One show.

According to Dónal Gallagher, the Strat was among the earliest species brought to Ireland.

“It came via a guy called Jim Condon, who was the guitar player with the Royal Showband, and he had picked it up in New York,” stated Dónal.

“There's another version that it was imported to Crowley's in Cork city. Either way, it ended up being sold after six months, so it was offered at Crowley's in Merchant's Quay, for the princely sum of £100.”

When asked how much of a part of Rory the Stratocaster was, Dónal said that it had become like one of his limbs.

“Rory used the guitar to express himself. After one of the band's early performances in Dublin, the guitar was taken,” Dónal recounted when he founded ‘Taste.’

“It felt like losing someone, too. For a week, it seemed like a bereavement until the instrument was given back to him and Garda Patrol posted it on TV. Since then, it has never left his side.”

Since Rory passed away, the guitar has been stored in a bank vault in London for security. Occasionally, well-known guitarists like Joe Bonamassa and Johnny Marr have performed it.

In addition, it was sent to the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for exhibition.

According to Dónal, regulations pertaining to the hardwoods the instrument is built of, and its ivory pegs have made showcasing it more challenging.

Since he is not a musician, he has chosen to sell it and donate the projected £1 million to charitable organisations and “Rory projects.”