The Skeffington Arms is a small boutique hotel in Galway. It also has a large late bar that hosts weekly live music events. It has many defining features that set it apart from other hotels of a similar style and description. Firstly, the building itself is steeped in history, with its location being situated at the point of revolution for Galway City, and, with the building itself not becoming a public area until the 19th Century. As far as current records show, the building was most likely built to serve as a stately home. It was built in the mid-17th Century which stands as a great indicator that it was important at the time of construction. During that era, The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was taking place across the City and County of Galway.

The building is located directly to the West of the park formerly known as Eyre Square, and later re-named John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. The park itself marks central Galway City and has been a predominant feature of the rebellions and protests since the early 17th Century. First records of attempts to glamorize the square were recorded in 1631, when Ash trees were planted, and the park was enclosed by a wooden fence. The park itself was originally used as a marketplace in the Northern part of the current square. The land, from which the name was given, Mayor Edward Eyre, formally donated the land to the city in 1710.

During 18th Century Ireland, particularly in Galway, there was steady unrest among locals, mainly because as a Catholic Port City it was treated with great suspicion by authorities. In 1801, General Meyrick, who gives his name to the Meyrick Hotel (now The Hardiman Hotel), situated at the Southern end of the park, ordered the construction of stone walls to surround the park, which itself was known as Meyrick Square for a period.

It was in the mid-19th Century, 1850 to be exact, that The Skeffington Arms was established as a hotel. This involved re-arranging the structural interior which had significant costs. The time itself was of interest as the city of Galway was still suffering from The Great Famine, which began in 1845 and slowly came to an end in 1852. To set up a hotel in that era would have most likely raised eyebrows as records indicate mass starvation, disease and emigration during this period. It is locally said that during the famine in Ireland, ‘one million died and one million left’.

However, all was not lost regarding this modest hotel, as 1845 was the year that saw the creation of the first University in Galway, then named Queens University of Ireland and later re-named N.U.I.G. (National University of Ireland, Galway). Also, 1850 marked the year that railway lines reached Galway City. Both important aspects are what initially helped draw business to the city, the Square, and the modest hotel which still proudly bears the name The Skeffington Arms Hotel.

Between the mid-19th and mid-20th Century, the city itself began to develop its own personal identity. The city has a very relaxed atmosphere among its locals and visitors alike, which shows a stark contrast to the turbulence of its past. Another notable event which The Skeffington Arms has outlasted was the great fire of 1972 which saw much of Galway City centre destroyed. Though the fire did originate and destroy the South-West corner of the square, and its buildings, the hotel was not significantly damaged. Even though it is located on the Western side, it narrowly avoided destruction.

As previously mentioned, the hotel does over-look Eyre Square and because of this, it has both seen and been involved in the transformation of Galway’s favourite park. A modern re-development of the park began in 2004 and was completed and re-opened in 2006, after a total of €9.6 million was spent on the project. This re-development, though well received upon its re-opening, was not without its own troubles. To complete this refurbishment and modernize the city centre, 90 mature Ash trees had to be felled. Many were the original trees planted in the 1631 renovations. Though protesters organized marches, events and even a 24-hour vigil on Saturday February 1st, 2003, their plight was ignored, and the demolition went ahead. Though it was unarguably a shame to see such grand and beautiful trees cut down, it did make way for a wonderfully bright and open tribute to this calm and clean city, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. These works also resulted in the square being awarded Irish Landscape Institute Design Award in 2007. Due to the deep-rooted history of The Skeffington Arms Hotel, and its incredibly close proximity to the park, its railings are actually listed as national landmarks and because of this, legally cannot be changed in any way.

Currently, the hotel keeps up with the tradition of changing to suit the needs of its current clientele and has many unique features to define itself. It boasts the largest bar in Galway City, with six different and diverse bars under its roof, all retaining original woodwork and design from its early beginnings. Locally known as The Skeff Bar & Kitchen, it sets itself apart from many as it is recognized as a popular meeting place for locals yet as a common destination for travellers looking for a place of both historical importance and yet well renowned for service.

In 2023, The Skeff Bar & Kitchen began to write a fantastic new chapter in its long and storied history with the opening of Graces’ Drinking Lounge, a specialty bar focusing purely on the delivery of the finest cocktails in Galway City. The spirit of daring and adventure evoked by Ireland’s celebrated Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, has inspired the naming of this latest addition.

The new luxurious cocktail lounge retains the ambiance and charm of the Skeff whilst bringing a contemporary twist to the historic venue. With plush seating and an extensive cocktail, wine, whiskey, and gin menu, Grace’s drinking club offers a cosy and inviting space for socialising in the heart of the city centre. The traditional features, woodwork and design of the original bar are interwoven throughout the cocktail lounge, allowing it to tie in seamlessly with the existing décor.

Renowned for her seafaring legacy and entrepreneurial drive, the independent might of Grace O’Malley is enshrined in Irish folklore. The 16th century icon broke free of conventional norms, commanding loyalty amongst her peers and ruling the waves along the rugged west coast. Crafted by skilled tradesmen, the restoration of the existing bar, alongside the installation of new panelling and atmospheric lighting has rejuvenated this section of the Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen, transforming it into the ideal location for celebrations of all kinds.