Mr Patrick Shaughnessy

Who was Patrick Shaughnessy?

Patrick Shaughnessy was a 25 (twenty-five) year-old Irish farm labourer and third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on May 10, 1886, in Tynagh, Co Galway, Ireland, Shaughnessy’s life was tragically cut short when the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

Family History

Patrick Shaughnessy came from a large Irish family:

• Father: Patrick Shaughnessy (b. circa 1825), a farmer and horse dealer
• Mother: Ellen Donelan (b. circa 1847)
• Siblings:
  1. Thomas (b. December 3, 1870)
  2. Michael (b. September 12, 1872)
  3. John (b. October 3, 1874)
  4. Patrick (b. January 15, 1877)
  5. William (b. December 28, 1878)
  6. Mary (b. June 15, 1881)
  7. Bridget (b. September 10, 1883)

Tragically, Patrick’s father passed away from pneumonia on December 20, 1885, just months before Patrick’s birth.

Childhood and Youth

“The 1901 census shows Patrick and his family living at house 9 in Tynagh and he was still a schoolboy at that stage.”

Patrick spent his early years in Tynagh, attending school and later following in his family’s footsteps. By the 1911 census, the family had moved to house 14 in the same area, and Patrick was listed as an unmarried farm labourer working under his brother Thomas. Like his late father, Patrick also engaged in horse trading.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Patrick Shaughnessy board the Titanic?

Patrick Shaughnessy’s decision to board the Titanic was not his original plan. He had initially booked passage on the Cymric, but coal strikes forced a change in his travel arrangements. His ultimate destination was New York, where his sister Bridget resided.

Titanic Boarding Details

Fate During the Disaster

Patrick Shaughnessy, like many third-class passengers, did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He perished on April 15, 1912, at the young age of 25 (twenty-five). His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.

Legacy and Family Aftermath

How did Patrick’s family remember him?

The loss of Patrick Shaughnessy deeply affected his family and community:

• His mother, Ellen, remained in Tynagh until her death on December 1, 1927, at the age of 80 (eighty).
• Patrick’s brother Thomas stayed in Tynagh, marrying Anna Quinn and raising a family.
• Thomas named one of his sons Patrick (b. February 19, 1900), likely in memory of his lost brother.
• When Thomas died on September 18, 1956, at 85 (eighty-five) years old, Patrick’s loss on the Titanic was commemorated on his headstone.

This lasting tribute demonstrates the profound impact Patrick’s tragic fate had on his family and serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster.

What can we learn from Patrick Shaughnessy’s story?

Patrick Shaughnessy’s life and untimely death encapsulate the dreams and tragedies of many Irish immigrants during the early 20th century. His journey represents the hopes of a better life in America, tragically intersecting with one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. As we remember Patrick, we are reminded of the countless stories of Titanic victims whose aspirations were forever silenced beneath the Atlantic waves.