800 Years

The Kings Head is a true piece of living history dating back over 800 years. Archaeological research has shown that a building was in existence on this site since the 13th century, which is evidenced by the classic burgage plot lay-out. In fact as you walk in the front door of The Kings Head you will notice the date 1612 on the feature fireplace (see above).

The earliest pictorial representation of the house occurs in Speed’s famous map of Galway, drawn in 1651. We see a large stone building – featuring a 3 storey dwelling fronting onto the street with a very impressive 5 storey building, known as Bank’s Castle, adjoining it to the rear. It was one of the tallest buildings in Galway, occupying a very prominent position in the centre of the town.

In 1640 the main property at 15 High Street was owned by Thomas Lynch Fitz-Ambrose. By 1654 Lynch Fitz-Ambrose had become Mayor of Galway and was to be the last of 84 successive Lynch Mayors. Following the execution of Charles I on 3rd Jan 1649, Cromwell’s army came to Ireland to assert their authority. One of Cromwell’s most loyal and trusted henchmen, Col. Peter Stubbers, was amongst the commanders who had laid siege to Galway. Following the town’s surrender in April 1653, he became its military Governor. When the Mayor and Corporation of Galway objected to the outrages being perpetrated on the citizens of Galway they were forcibly removed from office by Stubbers in 1654. Stubbers not only removed and replaced Lynch Fitz-Ambrose as Mayor, he seized his splendid house in High Street to boot