• 800 Years
• The Executioner

History

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.

The earliest pictorial representation of the house occurs in Speed’s famous map of Galway, drawn in 1651`(can we link to a pic of the map). 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.

While Col. Peter Stubbers lived at 15 High Street, his neighbour to the rear was the executioner "prime suspect", Richard Gunning. The belief at the time was that Gunning was given the property as payment for his part in the execution of King Charles I - the "Price of Royal Blood". He was also making a very successful living by exporting white slaves from Galway to work on his plantation in the West Indies. Gunning was facilitated in this operation by his neighbour Col. Stubbers. This arrangement continued very profitably for both parties until, in 1655, Col. Stubbers, having made himself extremely unpopular, was removed as Governor.
 
As legend has it Gunning was heard to boast in the Taverns of Galway that his arm "had felt the muscles on the neck of the King of England". It is more likely however that on that fateful day, 3rd Jan 1649, the man who executed Charles I was in fact Col. Peter Stubbers. Research by Galway historian Jackie Uí Chionna directly links Stubbers to the execution of the King. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II introduced the Act of Indemnity which pardoned those who conspired against his father. However he specifically exempted Stubbers from this "pardon". This along with the subsequent "disappearance" of Stubbers makes it extremely likely that he did indeed have a real case to answer. It was a case, then, of "right legend, wrong man!"

One thing for sure, the building genuinely lays claim to the name "The Kings Head"!

In the intervening years the building has had many interesting incarnations from a Gunmakers shop to a Grocer & Spirit dealer until eventually becoming the pub we now know as The Kings Head.

The historical significance of The Kings Head is well documented and becomes clearly evident when you encounter features such as the 1612 fireplace. During renovations
in 1996 however, its historical importance was further consolidated when a significant discovery was made. The modern plaster work was removed to reveal two medieval fireplaces, four original cut stone windows and the medieval walls of Bank's Castle.

Bank's Castle was originally a 5 storey structure as illustrated in Speed's Pictorial Map of 1651 (can you link to a pic of Speeds Map – as per reference in 2nd paragrpahy. The exterior walls form a small medieval courtyard which is certainly one of the best preserved in the city, according to NUI Galway Archaeologist Paul Gosling. During more recent renovations in 2005 another significant piece of history was uncovered. Described as a 400 year old Tripartite Window (located on the first floor opposite the bar) it has since been restored under the guidance of Jim Higgins, Heritage Officer for Galway City.

Drop into The Kings Head for a pint, for lunch, for live music and soak up 800 years of history.

Buail isteach chugainn agus bain sásamh as do phionta, as lón agus as an gceol croíúil agus tú ag sú isteach ár dtimpeallacht stairiúil atá 800 bliain d'aois.