Close relatives of the family who donated Innisfallen Island in Killarney to the State have visited the stunning monastic ruins to unveil a commemorative plaque in their honour.
John and Mary McShain and their daughter, Sr Pauline, were fondly remembered at the event which was organised in recognition of their philanthropic generosity.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
They gifted Innisfallen Island – a sixth century historical abbey and place of learning on Lough Lein – to the nation in 1973 and they also sole Killarney House and Gardens, for a nominal fee, to the State and its people in 1979 in condition that the land would be incorporated into Killarney National Park.
Remembered as the man who built America, John McShain was born in Philadelphia in 1896. His company became the leading construction firm in the US and was responsible for the construction of the Pentagon, the John F Kennedy Centre, the Jefferson Memorial, the Roosevelt Library, the Washington National Airport.
A devout catholic, his company also constructed the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and, of course, he spearheaded the $4.25 million reconstruction of the White House during the Truman years from 1949-1952.
John McShain, who died in September 1989 at the age of 93, was a lifelong Republican and he also owned some of the world’s most valuable thoroughbred racehorses and enjoyed a string of top-notch successes in blue riband events like the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Irish Derby and the St Leger.
Born in Philadelphia in 1898, McShain was the youngest son of Slaughtmanus, Co Derry-born Catholic immigrants, John and Catherine McShain. John Snr went to seek his fortune in America in 1885 where he joined the firm of his uncle, William J McShain before starting out on his own three years later, working mainly on projects sponsored by the Catholic Church.
John McShain Jnr’s wife, Mary Horstmann, a native of Philadelphia who he married in 1927, was a member of a large Philadelphia Catholic family of wool merchants and her pioneering community and charity work later saw her become a Lady of the Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre and a Dame of Malta.
In 1976 she was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, the highest honour the Vatican can bestow on a lay-woman and the following year she was presented with honorary doctorates from three universities.
A close, personal friend of former President of Ireland, Seán T O’Kelly, and a regular visitor to Killarney, in the late 1950s, John McShain acquired Killarney House and its sprawling 25,000 estate and he spent the twilight of his life there until his death.
In 1973, the McShains gifted the priceless Innisfallen Island, Ross Castle and 8,000 acres of parkland, mountains and lake to the State and an agreement was reached that, when Mr and Mrs McShain passed on, Killarney House and Gardens would be given to the Irish Government for a very nominal sum.
When his wife, Mary, died in 1998, their daughter Pauline, a US based nun, carried out her father’s wishes and handed the keys and the deeds of the property to the people.
Sr Pauline, a Philadelphia based member of the Society of the Child Jesus order, passed away in March 2019.
John and Mary McShain are buried side by side in his native Philadelphia but their incredible legacy will always live on in their adopted home of Killarney.
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