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THE CRANE BAR Mapped

THE CRANE BAR, WILLIAM STREET WEST, GALWAY

AddressTHE CRANE BAR, WILLIAM STREET WEST, GALWAY
CountyGalway
EircodeH91 YP97
Phone+35391587419
Websitewww.thecranebar.com
Licence refGAP104

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From the record · Verified background

What the archives say

Independent reporting and heritage records on this pub, drawn from a curated list of Irish news outlets, Revenue Commissioners, NIAH, and the Dictionary of Irish Architects. Every claim links to its primary source.

Listing historyMusic historyNotable events

Revenue's renewed-liquor-licence register lists licence ref GAP104 as a Publican's Licence (7-Day Ordinary) for THE CRANE BAR at THE CRANE BAR, WILLIAM STREET WEST, GALWAY in CO. GALWAY with SIGNALVALE LIMITED as licensee.[1]

In 1978, the Galway Advertiser reported that Paddy Connors took over the lease and renamed the premises “The Crane Bar”, and that he opened an upstairs bar and started nightly music sessions.[2]

In 2011, the Galway Advertiser reported that The Crane Bar was being offered for sale by a receiver/manager, and that tenants Mick Crehan and Maeve Joyce said they had a “secure tenancy” and a long-term lease and would continue operating the bar.[3]

TheJournal.ie included The Crane Bar on Sea Road in a 2018 selection of strong traditional-session pubs around Ireland, describing it as a Galway city place to seek out for traditional music.[4]

Sources  (4)
  1. Revenue Commissioners · Register of Renewed Liquor Licences · 2026-05-08
  2. Galway Advertiser · “The Crane Bar” · 2018-06-14
  3. Galway Advertiser · “Crane Bar is for sale but ‘the music will go on’” · 2011-01-27
  4. TheJournal.ie · "9 of the best spots around Ireland for a great trad session" · 2018-11

PubHub lore

Local notes

Established

On the corner of Sea Road and the 'Small Crane' Square, with a Victorian façade dating from the 1800s.

Architecture

A small, two-storey corner pub. Downstairs is the front-room 'local' bar; upstairs is The Listeners' Club — a small intimate room dedicated to live music and storytelling.

Music

One of the central pubs of the 1960s and '70s trad renaissance in the west of Ireland. Continues to be a key node in Galway's traditional music life. Live music nightly, both downstairs and upstairs. Trad sessions seven nights a week, year-round.

Reputation

Historically *the* session pub of Galway. The crown has shifted around the city over the years but The Crane remains essential listening for trad in the west.

Memory wanted

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