Patrick Shanley

Linguist / Author / Historian

James Street from Bridge

Author's Personal Photo

James Street from Octogan

Author's Personal Photo

Plaque on Bridge James Street.

Author's Personal Photo

Linguist / Author / Historian

This accomplished linguist, historian & author spent over forty years as a solicitor. He travelled worldwide that added to his enjoyment of various languages.

Patrick Shanley was born in Westport, Co. Mayo.

Education

Patrick Shanley received his early education at the Christian Brothers School on Castlebar Street in the Westport. He attended St. Vincent’s College Dublin. Then progressed to the National University, Dublin.

Career

Patrick Shanley qualified as a solicitor during 1936 initially he practiced in Dublin in partnership with William Walsh.

Westport

He returned to Westport during 1947 when he established a practice Patrick Shanley & Sons Ltd. on James Street where he practiced for many years.

Linguist

Patrick Shanley had an interest in languages. He was fluent both in German & Russian. He perused editions of those newspapers weekly: then passed them on to other interested parties.

Travels

He travelled extensively even on the Trans-Siberian Express. These trips to various countries added greatly to his enjoyment of using his linguist talents. Patrick Shanley was a noted historian throughout his life.

Voluntary Activities

Fine Gael was very close to Patrick Shanley’s heart: he was a tireless worker at local level. He was selected to the Board of Mayo Vocational Committee. He was a committee member of the Holy Trinity Church Westport restoration fund.

Patrick Shanley was a politician in the old sense of the word. He was an historian, a linguist but above all a lawyer.

Demise

Patrick Shanley’s demise occurred in Westport. He is buried at Aughavale cemetery.

Patrick’s Articles

Patrick Shanley published numerous articles to the Cathair na Mart Historical Journal from 1987 to 1997 (listed below)

Extradition, a Political and Historical Parallel Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1987 vol. 7. no.1.

An Unknown Chapter in History: Fethard-on-Sea Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1990 vol. 10. no.1.

Two Poems from Russia Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1990 vol. 10. no.1.

Evening Sun (Translation from the Russian) Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1992 vol. 12. no. 1.

A Question of Brahms-A Legend Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1993 no. 13.

Rocamadour; a Place of the Heart Cathair na Mart. Historical Journal 1994 no. 14.

An Unusual Experience Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1995 no. 15.

The Story Told by S. Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1996 no. 16.

The Story Told by a Russian Priest Cathair na Mart Historical Journal 1997 no. 17.

Have wonderful memories of Paddy as he visited my father with his foreign newspapers. Those visits also included long enjoyable, interesting conversations. He always had time to converse! (NBC)