Our History

In March 2020, Walker 1781 opened its doors in the heart of Sligo town, bringing new life to one of the town’s historic buildings. While the restaurant and bar are a modern addition, the story of the building itself stretches back more than two centuries.

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The origins of the property date to 1781, when John Walker signed the first recorded lease on the building — giving Walker 1781 its name and its place in Sligo’s history. Over the years, Nos. 11 & 12 O’Connell Street became a familiar part of the town, home to both businesses and families.

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In the early twentieth century the building was owned by Mrs Dunne, who lived in an apartment above her shop. Having been widowed since 1904, she later passed the property to her niece, Mary Palmer, when she died in 1939.

Since then, the building has remained within the Palmer family. Today, Mary Palmer’s great-grandson Ross Palmer continues that connection, carefully redeveloping the space to create Walker 1781 — where heritage and modern hospitality meet in the centre of Sligo.