Two pubs in Ireland share the name “Hole in the Wall”—one founded against the Phoenix Park wall in 1651, the other on Eyre Street in Galway with roots in the city’s smuggling era. The name’s origins have drifted far from either source, creating a confusion worth sorting out.

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Established: 1651 · Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin · TripAdvisor Rating: 3.5/5 · Galway Owners: P. Fahy family · Claimed Length: Europe’s Longest Pub

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current ownership structure for the Dublin pub beyond historical records
  • Whether Guy Ritchie holds any direct stake in Irish pub properties
  • Whether Ed Sheeran has publicly named this venue as a regular stop
3Timeline signal
  • 1651: Dublin pub founded as Ye Blackhorse Inn
  • Mid-1650s: Levinus Doyle serves soldiers through a hole in the Phoenix Park wall
  • 1840s: Dublin venue becomes a tavern, hosts Monster Meetings
  • 1891–1922: McKee Barracks soldiers frequent the pub
  • 1970s: Stephen Fahy purchases the Galway pub
4What’s next
  • Both venues continue operating with distinct characters: Dublin’s imposing Tudor exterior versus Galway’s rustic thatch aesthetic
  • The phrase “hole in the wall” persists in Irish vernacular as slang for a humble, unpretentious spot
Attribute Value
Primary Location Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin (Phoenix Park)
Alternate Site Eyre Street, Galway city centre
Founded 1651 (Dublin)
Reviews 678 on TripAdvisor
Duke of Wellington Monument distance 1.5 km
Park size 1,700 acres

What does the saying “hole in the wall” mean?

The phrase “hole in the wall” has settled into Irish pub culture as shorthand for a small, unpretentious establishment—somewhere that doesn’t announce itself with polished signage or marble counters. It carries a backhanded compliment: the place is humble, possibly cramped, possibly rough around the edges, but somehow worth knowing about.

Origin of the phrase

In Dublin, the story goes that mid-1650s owner Levinus Doyle served soldiers through an actual gap in the Phoenix Park wall, letting them drink without passing through formal gates. The delivery method was literally a hole in the wall. (Curious Ireland)

In Galway, the name traces to a different kind of hole: smugglers in the eighteenth century used gaps in the deteriorating city walls to move contraband without paying duty. (Galway’s Own) By the late nineteenth century, a thatched pub stood where the hole had been. By the late 1990s, redevelopment work exposed the old wall section again at the rear of Dunne’s Stores, almost directly behind the pub.

Modern usage

Today the phrase works as a mild insult or a fond jab, depending on tone. Call a place “a hole in the wall” and you might mean it’s obscure and basic—or that it’s a hidden gem that rewards the curious. Irish pub culture has long embraced the humble aesthetic: thatch roofs, flagstone floors, and low ceilings signal authenticity rather than luxury.

Bottom line: The phrase originally described actual physical breaches in city or park walls. Over time it became pub terminology for any modest, character-rich establishment that punches above its apparent weight.

Who owns Hole in the Wall Galway?

The Galway pub on Eyre Street has been in the Fahy family since Stephen Fahy, a local businessman, bought the venue in the 1970s. He officially bestowed the name “The Hole in the Wall” at that point, formalising what had been a local nickname through much of the twentieth century. (Galway’s Own)

P. Fahy family history

Before the Fahys, the Fitzgerald family owned the venue for most of the twentieth century. The pub operated under their stewardship while the “Hole in the Wall” nickname persisted even as the origin story faded from collective memory. (Galway’s Own)

Current operations

The Fahy family continues to run the Galway venue, which draws regular crowds during The Galway Races, attracts students with competitive drink pricing, and serves as a sport-watching hub. (Galway City Pub Guide) The distinctive thatch roof and rustic interior—flagstone floors, sturdy wooden furniture—give it a different texture from its Dublin namesake.

The catch

The Galway pub’s current ownership beyond the Fahy family is not clearly documented in public records. Multiple origin stories circulate, including one involving members of the Garda force slipping through a hole to drink unseen—a detail the Galway City Pub Guide reports as unverified. (Galway City Pub Guide)

Which pub does Guy Ritchie own?

Confusion circulates online: searches for “which pub does Guy Ritchie own” sometimes land on pages about the Dublin Hole in the Wall, but the film director’s actual portfolio lies elsewhere. Reports indicate Ritchie owns properties in the London pub scene, not Irish venues.

Ritchie pub connections

Guy Ritchie has been associated with London establishments, particularly through his Madonna-era acquisitions and subsequent ventures. The Dublin Hole in the Wall does not appear in documented connections to his portfolio. This appears to be a case where the searcher’s mental model—a wealthy British filmmaker with Irish connections—doesn’t map to the actual geography.

Net worth context

Ritchie’s film career has generated substantial wealth, and he has invested in hospitality ventures. However, no verified source links him to the Dublin Phoenix Park venue or any Galway property bearing the name.

The upshot

If someone tells you Guy Ritchie owns the Hole in the Wall, they may be confusing it with another celebrity pub venture—or misremembering the Dublin-Galway distinction. The Dublin venue’s history traces to 1651, predating Hollywood by three centuries.

What is Ed Sheeran’s favorite pub?

Ed Sheeran’s documented love for Ireland—he owns a home in County Wexford and has family connections in Galway—naturally fuels speculation about his favorite drinking spots. Some online content suggests he frequents establishments in the west of Ireland, though verified public statements naming specific venues remain scarce.

Sheeran pub preferences

Sheeran has been photographed in various Irish locations and has performed extensively in the country. His documented comfort with local environments suggests he avoids heavily tourist-oriented venues in favor of quieter spots where anonymity is possible. The Galway Hole in the Wall—with its student-heavy crowd and unpretentious interior—would fit that profile, but this remains speculative.

Irish links

Sheeran’s Irish connections run deep: he recorded portions of his ÷ album in County Wexford, and his partner Cherry Seaborn has family ties in the area. Whether this translates to regular patronage of any specific Galway pub has not been confirmed in mainstream coverage.

Why this matters

Celebrity associations can shape a venue’s fate—positive attention brings foot traffic, but so can viral misattribution. The Hole in the Wall venues have survived centuries without requiring star power; whether they can handle a sudden Sheeran spotlight remains untested.

Hole in the Wall Dublin

The Dublin Hole in the Wall sits at Blackhorse Avenue, pressed against the Phoenix Park wall. Its Tudor-style exterior and 100-metre interior have made it something of a landmark—though whether it genuinely qualifies as Europe’s longest pub depends on how you measure and who you ask.

Phoenix Park site

Phoenix Park spans 1,700 acres, making it one of Europe’s largest city parks. The pub nestles against its boundary wall, offering what the venue’s own website describes as “cosmopolitan city pub features with access to the park.” (Hole in the Wall Official Website) The Duke of Wellington Monument stands roughly 1.5 kilometres away.

In the 1840s, the venue served food and became a tavern popular during the Monster Meetings—public assemblies where Daniel O’Connell addressed crowds in the park. Daniel O’Connell reportedly brewed ale that was sold at what was then the Blackhorse Tavern. (Curious Ireland) Between 1891 and 1922, British Army personnel stationed at McKee Barracks in the park would sneak off to the venue for beer. (Curious Ireland)

Menu and events

The venue offers standard pub fare—soups, sandwiches, carvery options—alongside its drinks menu. Christmas events draw seasonal crowds, and the Phoenix Park setting provides natural footfall from tourists visiting the park’s other attractions. TripAdvisor reviews (678 of them) give the venue a 3.5/5 rating, suggesting mixed but generally acceptable experiences.

What checks out

  • Dating to 1651 with documented original name
  • Located at Phoenix Park boundary
  • Tudor-style exterior confirmed
  • Galway pub at Eyre Street since late 1800s
  • Fahy family ownership in Galway since 1970s

What remains murky

  • Current Dublin ownership beyond historical record
  • Verification of “Europe’s longest” claim by independent sources
  • Celebrity ownership or regular patronage
  • Whether Smyth’s claims about Dublin pub connect to Luke Comer

Comparing the two Hole in the Wall pubs

The Dublin and Galway venues share a name but little else. Their origins differ completely, their ownership structures diverged generations ago, and their physical characters could hardly be more different.

Attribute Dublin Galway
Address Blackhorse Avenue, Phoenix Park Eyre Street, Galway
Founded 1651 Late 19th century (thatched pub opened 1800s)
Original name Ye sign of ye Blackhorse Inn Various (Fitzgerald family operated)
Name origin Levinus Doyle served soldiers through park wall gap Smugglers used holes in city wall to move contraband
Architecture Imposing Tudor exterior Thatch roof, rustic interior, flagstone floors
Claim to fame “Europe’s longest pub” at 100 metres Hidden gem, student-favorite, race-week crowds
Current ownership Unclear in public records Fahy family since 1970s

Phoenix Park’s 1,700 acres provide a green backdrop in Dublin, while Galway’s city-centre location puts the venue steps from shops and street life. The implication: visitor expectations should shift based on city choice rather than assuming shared character from the name.

Bottom line: Despite the shared name, these are essentially two separate establishments with unrelated origin stories. A visitor expecting similarity will find contrast; someone seeking either venue’s specific character should clarify which city they’re headed to before booking.

The pub’s original sign read ‘Ye Signe of Ye Blackhorse’ with a picture of a horse — because many people were illiterate.

— Curious Ireland (reporting on mid-1600s Dublin signage conventions)

By the eighteenth century, Galway’s city walls were no longer required for defensive purposes and had been allowed to fall into ruin.

— Galway’s Own (historical context)

The venerable Hole in the Wall pubs near Dublin’s Phoenix Park and in Galway trace their name to 17th-century coach houses serving travelers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Hole in the Wall Dublin Europe’s longest pub?

The Dublin venue claims this title based on its 100-metre interior length. Whether independent verification backs the claim varies by source. TripAdvisor reviews and tourism guides reference the “longest pub” marketing angle, but no single authoritative body has confirmed the ranking against other European venues.

What menu items are at Hole in the Wall Pub?

Standard pub offerings include carvery lunches, soups, sandwiches, and evening mains. Specific menus change seasonally and are available on the venue’s website. The Galway location focuses more on drinks than elaborate food options.

Where is Hole in the Wall Phoenix Park?

The Dublin venue sits at Blackhorse Avenue, along the Phoenix Park boundary wall. The nearest landmark is the Duke of Wellington Monument roughly 1.5 km away. Dublin Bus routes serve the area, and park visitors often combine a walk with a pub stop.

What events happen at Hole in the Wall Christmas?

Seasonal events include festive menus, holiday parties, and occasional live music. The Dublin venue leverages its Phoenix Park setting for Christmas markets foot traffic. Specific event schedules appear on the venue’s social media and website closer to the holiday season.

How does Hole in the Wall Galway differ from Dublin?

The Galway venue is smaller, more rustic, and has operated continuously under family ownership since the 1970s. Its thatch roof and flagstone floors create a different atmosphere from the Dublin pub’s imposing Tudor scale. The Galway location draws student crowds and race-week visitors; the Dublin venue serves a broader tourist-and-locals mix.

What is the history behind Hole in the Wall name?

In Dublin, owner Levinus Doyle reportedly served soldiers through a gap in the Phoenix Park wall in the mid-1650s. In Galway, the name recalls eighteenth-century smugglers who moved contraband through holes in the deteriorating city wall. Both stories involve the literal breach that gave the name its meaning.

Are there menus online for Hole in the Wall Dublin?

The official website lists current menus. Pricing and availability shift seasonally. For the most accurate information—especially for special dietary requirements—contacting the venue directly remains advisable.

For visitors to Dublin, the Hole in the Wall offers a slice of 1651 history in an unlikely location—long, atmospheric, and positioned alongside one of Europe’s largest city parks. Those heading west to Galway will find something more intimate: a thatch-roofed spot where smugglers once passed through holes now buried under centuries of city life. Both venues survive on their own terms, answering to different histories despite sharing a name that has outlived the stories that created it.

Further reading: Newspaper History · St Mirren FC History