According to local folklore Stony Brennan was the seventh son of a seventh son and had curative powers. He was hanged on Gallows Hill for stealing a turnip during the famine of 1845. The stone head must have been carved after this date. Local folklore also said any young maiden who kisses the head on bonfire night would marry within the year. [More details](https://irishfolkartproject.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/some-galway-folk-art-the-story-of-stoney-brennan-loughrea/)