Cookes Thatch bar is one of Galway City's oldest pubs and one of only two remaining thatch pubs in Galway City. In the 1500's thatch roofed buildings were banned inside the City wall after a fire ravaged Galway.  The origin of Cookes bar can be traced back to the 1600's.

Originally part of the Blake estate (one of the 14 tribes of Galway), it was bought by the Cooke family in 1855 and passed through 5 generations of the family. The intersection beside the Pub has come to be known as Cookes corner. The Cooke family sold the premises in 2002

Peter Cooke pulls his last pint

The size of the original pub has not changed except for the addition of a lounge next door. In past times Guinness, Smithwicks, Rum and Whiskey were bottled on the premises. Due to its location, Cookes was one of the first (or last) pubs on the road into Galway city from the countryside and consequently it was usual to see  ponies, traps, donkeys & carts parked outside.

The passing of time has seen one constant with Cookes Thatch Pub Galway remaining a popular pub for locals and visitors alike. Today Damian Gallagher carries on the tradition and you can be assured of a friendly welcome at Cookes Thatch Pub Galway.

Video of Cookes Pub on St Patricks day in the mid 1980's