Kirkland, Narberth

The Kirkland was originally known as the Gate due to its proximity to one of Narberth’s tollgates and opened some time in the 1830s.  It owned, like many in its day, a yard and stables. 

Its name was changed to the Commercial in the early 1860s and from 1861 to 1867 the licensee was one John Phillips.

The landlord from 1901 to 1921 was the horse trainer and dealer Frederick Thomas who was jailed for a year with hard labour in 1921 for felony – the burning of one of the bedrooms.  Naturally, he was unable to hold another public house license.

The pub was renamed again during the 1950s to the Kirkland, the name of the winning horse of the 1905 Grand National.  It is believed before heading off to Aintree Kirkland was stabled overnight at the pub.  The rest is history...