Peter Greene, the Old IRA volunteer who became Mayor of Galway

Fishmarket publican, War of Independence veteran & Mayor of Galway · 1895–1963

Peter Greene (circled), marching with fellow veterans in Galway. Courtesy of the Greene family collection, via Kenny’s of Galway

Looking for a different Peter Green? Maybe the actor Peter Greene. See all of them.

Peter Greene (1895–1963) was born into one of the best-known families of the Claddagh — the old fishing community across the river from Galway city. His father, Colman Greene, had founded Greene's Fishmarket pub beside the Spanish Arch in the late nineteenth century; the family were fish merchants who owned trawlers and boats and whose shop sold tea, sugar, candles and provisions to the fishermen. Peter grew up in the house over the pub, inherited it from his father, and in time passed it to his own son — another Colman.

He was also a soldier of the Irish revolution. Peter joined the Irish Volunteers and served in the Old IRA from 1917 to 1926 through the War of Independence. Caught in a British round-up late in 1920, he was held for about three weeks in Galway Gaol, then marched with a companion to Earl's Island, where the 17th Lancers were quartered, and badly beaten. The two were let go by a sergeant who — as Greene told it — plainly hoped they would run so he could shoot them “while trying to escape.” Peter walked away slowly and lived; his friend ran, and was shot.

In 1926 he moved into constitutional politics with the newly founded Fianna Fáil, and rose through Galway's local government to serve as Mayor of Galway from 1954 to 1960 — a six-year run leading the council of the city his family had helped feed for generations. And, note, this is another Peter Greene, with the extra “e.”

Notable work

• 
  Greene's Fishmarket, Spanish Archfamily pub & fish merchants

  The Greene family pub and provisions shop beside the Spanish Arch, at the heart of the Claddagh fishing trade — the world Peter was born into and inherited.

• 
  The Greene CollectionGalway City Museum

  A collection of historic postcards of the Spanish Arch and Fishmarket, donated to Galway City Museum by Peter's grandson Dermot Greene — the family's record of old Galway.

From the Greene Collection

Images courtesy of Galway City Museum — the Greene Collection, donated by the Greene family.

FAQ

Is this Peter Green the real Peter Green?

He was a Peter Greene, extra “e” and all — so not even spelled like the real thing. The genuine article is the real Peter Green.

Sources: Galway City Museum — The Greene Collection  ·  Kenny's — Peter Greene, Volunteer and Mayor of Galway  ·  Wikipedia — Peter Greene (politician)