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The Gael Vaults

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48 Clyde Place, Glasgow.

 

The old Gael Vaults was founded by James Walsh in 1866, but under a different name the “Sydney Arms.” Mr Walsh also resided in Clyde Street with his wife and children, Mrs Walsh succeeded her husband as licensee, she sold the business in 1879 to Patrick Lyons. After a few other landlords the pub had a face-lift, the interior was reconstructed by Wine & Spirit Merchant James McSporran, a new name was put above the door too, which was McSporran’s Bar.

Mr McSporran continued to serve the locals here until 1892, Robert Struthers then acquired the business and changed the name to the Gael Vaults. Mr Struthers’ father was a well-known publican in the Bridgegate. Before taking over the Gael Vaults Robert was employed in Sammy Dow’s. After five years in Clyde Place Mr Struthers sold the pub to James Black, who continued as licensee until 1902.

The next license holder was a gentleman called John C Douglas, he paid an annul rent of £49.00. Mr Douglas was the last publican on the premises which closed down in 1909. A Tin-Plate & Zinc works moved in which was owned by Alex and Robert Holmes. In 1899 there was eight pubs on Clyde Place, this number was halved by the time the Gael Vaults closed down.

Other well known pubs on Clyde Place was McWilliam’s Vaults, Matthew Robin & Son, David Ross’s, Ireland’s Bar and the Neptune.

4 Clyde Place, Andrew McWilliam, he also owned pubs at 570 Rutherglen Road, 16-18 Maxwell Street, 12 Bridge Street, 64 East Howard Street.

5 Clyde Place, John Munro owned the Kintyre Bar.

34 Clyde Place, Robert Robin, he also owned pubs at 23 Milton Street,112 Stockwell Street and 85 Great Hamilton Street.

35 Clyde Place sat at the corner of 2 Centre Street and was owned by David Ross, he also owned pubs at 90 North Woodside Road, 198 Kelvinhaugh Street, 35 Possil Road, 306 Argyle Street, 43 Grove Street and 78 Mitchell Street.

53 Clyde Place, Neptune Bar, Andrew Williamson.

61 Clyde Place, James Ireland owned Ireland’s Bar.

64 Clyde Place, James McWilliam, he also owned the Strathduie Bar, 3a-5 Stirling Street, now Blackfriar Street.

License Holders for 48 Clyde Place..

1909-1903 John C Douglas.

1902-1897 James Black.

1897-1893 Robert Struthers.

1892-1883 James McSporran.

1880 Charles Harris.

1879 Patrick Lyons.

1878 Mrs Walsh.

1875-1866 James Walsh.

The Gushet Bar

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18 Cowcaddens, Glasgow.

Gushet

The Gushet Bar was situated at the gushet of Cowcaddens and Port Dundas Road.

There has been a pub on this site since at least 1875 owned by Wine & Spirit Merchant James Dewar, he also had pubs at 48 Commerce Street, 227 Cowcaddens, 225 New City Road, 27 West Russell Street and 247 Duke Street.

In 1897 Robert Wilson Armstrong acquired the licence, when Robert passed away his wife Jane took over the business. The family continued in this Gushet bar until the late 1950s, Matthew and Robert were both licensee. In 1960 Ronald Williamson took over the licence as trustee, he also took over the old pub at 3-5 Greendyke Street at the Glasgow Green for the late Joseph Anderson. The old Gushet Bar was used by students in the early part of the 70s and was finaly demolished when the Cowcaddens was raided by the bulldozer’s in the mid 1970s.

Gushet2

The Gushet Bar.

Licence Holders.
1960 Ronald Williamson.
1950 Robert Armstrong.
1937 Matthew Alexander Armstrong.
1919-1910 Jane Alexander Armstrong.
1909-1897 Robert Wilson Armstrong.
1875 James Dewar.

The Griffin

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266 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 4JP. Tel: 01413315171.

Griffin

The Griffin 1991.

Designed by architect William Reid in 1903 for publican Duncan Tweedley. The original carved wood frontage is still intact however the original large etched glass windows are not. The interior bar counter has stayed intact as some of the old features including the ceiling.

When Tweedley was in occupancy of this pub it was named The King’s Arms, after the King’s Theatre across the Road.

There has been a pub on this site since 1865 owned by publican John Lawrie, Mr Lawrie was trading as aWine & Spirit Merchant in the city since the 1840s having pubs in 161-63 Sauchiehall Street, 151 Queen Street, and 16 Howard Street.

Duncan Tweedley took over the business from Martin Wallace in 1891, he had the old premises demolished and a new tenement with a pub on the ground floor erected in 1903.

Another well known publican to hold the licence for the premises was George W Owen. George also owned the Empire Bar, West Nile Street, The Bay Horse and the Garrick.

The Griffin was named after publican William Griffin who occupied the pub during the 1960s and 70s. A new lounge and dining area was later installed and named the Griffini and Griffinette.

griffin griffin

The Griffin. 2005.

Griffin old

The Griffin 1970s.

Griffin interior

Interior view of the Griffin. 1970s.

Griffin interior1

Griffin interior2

Interior view of the Griffin 1980s

Another view of the interior.

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Licence Holders.
1973-1964 William Griffin.
1960 MRS D P Owen.
1950 Daisy Owen.
1930 George W Owen.
1924-1891 Duncan Tweedley.
1890-1886 Martin Wallace.
1885-1865 John Lawrie.

Grier’s Bar

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Griers sign

24 Bogbain Road, Easterhouse, Glasgow.

Griers

Grier’s Bar. 1991.

To read the full history of the Grier family check back soon for our second book.

Grier's Bar 2005

Grier’s November 2005.

Griers

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George Grier owned other popular bars in the city of Glasgow including the 123 Bar, at 123 Glebe Street. This old pub dates back to the 1860s when James Inglis traded here, Mr Inglis lived round the corner at 97 Parliamentary Road. In the 1890s Louis Gallen took over the old business, he continued to serve the locals here until 1904. The licence was then transfered to Thomas Murphy. He also owned a pub at 54 Adelphi Street, Gorbals in the South Side of the City. William Anderson then took over the bar until George Grier took over in the 1930s. George Grier then changed the name of the pub to 123 Bar which was formerly called the Black Bull.

Some of the pubs the Grier family owned were the Trossachs Bar in 31 Parson Street, Townhead, 3 in 1 Bar, 238 Woodlands Road, Nia Roo, 599 Nitshill Road, Square Rig, Crossland Road, Govan, The 111 Bar in Castle Street and the Anchor Bar in Kelvinhaugh Street.

New in Feb., 1970…

Glasgow’s New President

Mr. George A Grier is the new president of the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association. He succeeded Mr. Donald A MacLean in the position last week at a meeting of the board of the Association.

George Grier 1970

George Grier, third from the left, accepts chain of office from Donald MacLean. Watching are Peter Smith, Jack Gow, John Flynn, George Ramster, secretary, and Jimmy Milne honorary member. 1970.

Mr Jack Gow was appointed senior vice-president, with John A Flynn as junior vice-president. Mr. Peter Smith was appointed honorary treasurer. The new president belongs to a family well known in Glasgow trade circles. His Father, the late Mr. George Grier, was a director of the Glasgow Association and was its treasurer from 1956 until his death in 1961. Mr. Grier, sen., was also a past president of the Royalty Burns Club.

Mr. Grier’s mother, too, has interested herself in trade affairs, and was the first president of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Women’s Auxiliary Group, Licensed Trade, formed about ten years ago. The two new vice-presidents also have family backgrounds with the Association.

Mr. Jack Gow, who, incidentally, is chairman of the Scottish Licensed Trade Veto Defence Fund, is the son of the late Mr. W. B. Gow, who served the Association for several years as president and who also served the Scottish Association for a period in a similar capacity, becoming as honorary president of the “Scottish”.

Mr John Flynn is the brother of Mr. Thomas A. Flynn , who has held leading offices in the trade, among them being the presidency of both the Glasgow and Scottish Associations, and who is an honorary president of the “Scottish”.

Mr. peter Smith is president of the Glasgow Vintners Association.

In the News 1974…

Robert Grier and group of friends 1974

Mr. Jim Estcourt (second left) recently retired after 43 years’ service with John Haig & Co. He was presented with a silver salver by Mr. J. C. Kail, West of Scotland manager (third left). With them are Mr. R. T. Grier; Mrs Estcourt; Mr. G. Stewart, Scottish sales director; and Mr. W. A. Morrison. 1974.

Also see photo of
George Grier
George Grier
George Grier.