Alexander William Shaw
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander William Shaw (27 October 1847 – 1923) was an Irish
bacon manufacturer and the founder of Limerick and Lahinch golf clubs.
He was born in County Limerick
, the second son of John Shaw of Willowbank, bacon merchant. The family firm (W. J. Shaw and Sons, Musgrave Street) was already thriving when he took it over, but under his astute management it grew to become one of the largest bacon curing businesses in Europe, and Shaw became one of the most prominent businessmen in the city.
In 1892 Shaw "discovered" Lahinch
and from then on devoted his spare time and energy to founding and promoting the Lahinch Golf Club. He was president of the club from 1892 to his death in 1923.
In 1894 he established the South of Ireland Championship, which is still played. He was elected Honorary Vice-President of the Golfing Union of Ireland
in 1902.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
bacon manufacturer and the founder of Limerick and Lahinch golf clubs.
He was born in County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, the second son of John Shaw of Willowbank, bacon merchant. The family firm (W. J. Shaw and Sons, Musgrave Street) was already thriving when he took it over, but under his astute management it grew to become one of the largest bacon curing businesses in Europe, and Shaw became one of the most prominent businessmen in the city.
Golf
Shaw was a keen sportsman and took part in rowing, rugby, athletics and hurling, but golf became his main interest. During the course of his business trips he often travelled to Scotland, where he became a passionate fan of the game. In 1891 he chaired a meeting in Limerick to discuss forming a golf club for the county. Land at Ballinacurra was procured and Limerick Golf Club was formed with Shaw as first president and captain. The club was based at several different locations before it finally settled at Ballyclough in 1919. He was appointed first trustee of the club in 1909.In 1892 Shaw "discovered" Lahinch
Lahinch
Lahinch or Lehinch is a village on Liscannor Bay, on the northwest coast of County Clare, in northern Munster, Ireland. It lies on the N67 national secondary road....
and from then on devoted his spare time and energy to founding and promoting the Lahinch Golf Club. He was president of the club from 1892 to his death in 1923.
In 1894 he established the South of Ireland Championship, which is still played. He was elected Honorary Vice-President of the Golfing Union of Ireland
Golfing Union of Ireland
The Golfing Union of Ireland is the governing body for men's and boy's amateur golf in Ireland. It represents over 430 golf clubs with over 180,000 members and is affiliated to The R&A, which is the global governing body of golf outside the United States and Mexico.The GUI was established in 1891...
in 1902.