How were you selected to participate in the masterclass with Rory?

I was enrolled in the Ballyfermot Rock School. I had just finished my leaving certificate, and I was one of 5 guitar players chosen by the course runner, Matt Kellaghan. 

Were you a fan of Rory before playing with/getting to meet him?

I was aware of who he was and that he was more famous outside Ireland at the time. I had heard some of his playing, mostly due to a couple of the other players that were in the course with me to be honest. I [had been] playing guitar [for] about 6 years at the time and was listening to rock and metal players mostly, apart from Stevie Ray Vaughan.

What are your memories of the masterclass? How did it feel to play with Rory?

It was intimidating initially as I was a young metal/rock player with no blues influences at the time and had only found out about the session a couple of days beforehand. The other guys chosen were much more suited and influenced by Rory and more mature players than I was, but once I sat down with him I was less nervous and he helped me feel at ease by being very relaxed and chilled. He was a total gent and very easy to play with, I had to have a distortion pedal which mostly sounded terrible, and he was smiling away being very relaxed and making it a pleasure to jam with him. 

Are you still in touch with the other guitarists who took part in the masterclass?

Just on facebook recently with Eamonn. 

Did you also attend Rory’s concert several days later in Temple Bar? If so, what are your memories of this? 

I attended the gig but unfortunately have little memory of it other than there being a lot of people at it and him playing some amazing guitar.

What is your lasting impression of Rory? What was he like as a person?

Incredibly nice, warm presence, patient and open.

Has Rory inspired you in your own music-making?

Yes in some ways, although it took a long time. I have a blues band now called Texas Shuffle and we play some Rory among others that he would have been influenced by (Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy etc.) I did start to dig out Rory after I met him, but only up until the last few years [did] I really start to find myself looking to move out of my comfort zone and explore the bluesier side of guitar playing. This led to going back to Rory’s live albums and his covers and going  back to the originals. Really brought home how amazing he was as a player, whether using slide or not, and how great his voice was.