DEATH OF VETERAN KILDARE NATIONALIST

Leinster Leader, June 1 1912

Death of Veteran Kildare Nationalist

Mr. Abraham Shackleton Passes Away

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. Abraham Shackleton, which took place on Wednesday night at his residence in York Road, Rathmines, Dublin, after a prolonged illness, at a very advanced age. He was the son of George Shackleton, miller, of Ballitore, Co. Kildare, and of Hannah, his wife (nee Fisher, of Dr. Thomas Fisher, Assistant Librarian, T.C.D.) He was descended from Abraham Shackleton, a Yorkshire Quaker, who came to Ireland 200 years ago, and founded the famous Ballitore School, which numbered among its scholars Edmund Burke, Cardinal Paul Cullen, Jonathan Pim, M.P. and Richard D. Webb. Abraham Shackleton was born at Ballitore, August 27th 1827. His education commenced in a small school in Ballitore, conducted by Thos. Cole, a learned Quaker, whose wife was of Shackleton descent. He was afterwards sent to a private school kept by Lovell Squire, a member of the Society of Friends, in Falmouth. Here he spent two years, a time which he always looked back on with appreciation, not only because of the sound education he received, but also for the opportunities of intercourse with the Foxes and other cultivated Quakers in Falmouth. When he returned from school he began business in his father’s mill at Ballitore. He subsequently became senior partner in the firm known as George Shackleton and Sons. In 1870 he removed from Ballitore to the neighbourhood of Dublin, where he has since resided.

The passing away of this veteran, who played such a brave and manly part in the fight for Irish self-government in the dark days, will arouse much emotion at the present time, when the cause for which he stood so nobly and unwaveringly seems, after many years of struggle, to be approaching victory.

Just a month has passed since the aged Nationalist stalwart, writing from a sick-bed on the occasion of the death of Mr. Justin McCarthy, recalled the first utterance of that ancient and sacred hymn, the “Nune Dimmits” – Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou has prepared before the face of all people.” At a time when the third Home Rule Bill had passed the House of Commons, and no longer dreaded the veto of the House of Lords, the octogenarian, if not nonagenarian, Nationalist, on his sick-bed, might well breathe those sacred words as he looked to the completion of  a life of generous and manful effort.

Mr. Shackleton was always a loyal and devoted member of the religious community to which he belonged, and may be described as one of the leading spirits of the Quakers of Dublin. He was engaged in the milling trade, and was for some years one of the heads of the great firm known by that or other names. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and took a keen interest in Irish commercial affairs. Needless to say, the Irish industrial movement found in him one of its warmest and most active supporters, and his name has been often mentioned in connection with the struggle to secure for Irish industries the support of Irishmen.

From his early life Mr. Shackleton was an avowed Nationalist, and never feared to give expression to his opinions. He was a cousin of the late Mr. Alfred Webb, who figured so prominently in the Irish Nationalist movement in the past, and was also a member of the Quaker community. He was also connected with the Jacob family.

It may be mentioned that a nephew of Mr. Abraham Shackleton attracted the attention of two hemispheres by his achievements as an explorer a few years ago. This is Lieutenant afterwards Sir Ernest Shackleton, who in 1909 reached a point nearer to the South Pole than any explorer had previously accomplished. On the occasion of the announcement of the explorer’s triumph, Mr. Shackleton expressed indignation at his nephew being claimed as an “Englishman.” He declared that he was a “member of the Ballitore family of Shackletons” adding that “it isn’t because a man is born in a stable that he is a horse.”

Those who remember the early days of the fight for Home Rule will remember the impression caused by the action of Mr. Shackleton, who with Mr. Alfred Webb, Dr. Henry Mantsel, Dr. Galbrauth, the Rev. Dr. Haughton, Mr. Knox, then owner of the “Irish Times” and other prominent non-Catholics, threw in their lot with Nationalist Ireland, and came forward to prominently to express their belief in the right of the people of Ireland to govern themselves, and their confidence in the benefits that would spring from Home Rule. Indeed, no man was more free from any religious bigotry than Mr. Shackleton.

He was elected a member of Dublin Corporation in 1878, and was an active member of that body until he resigned his position as Town Councillor in 1885. While in the Corporation he was not only useful in promoting reforms, but also in preserving old landmarks, such as St. Audoen’s Arch. It may remembered how courageously and successfully he saved Leinster Lawn when the English Government decided that it was the only site on which to build the new National Library; how on his own responsibility he called a meeting of his fellow citizens, who protested so strongly that the Government had to change its plans.

For nearly forty years he was a member of Cork Street Fever Hospital Committee, and there, as well as elsewhere, he made his mark as a man of liberal ideas and broad sympathies.

At one time Mr. Shackleton held the Commission of the Peace, and was thereby enabled to give a signal proof of his devotion to the Nationalist cause. He took a prominent part in the foundation and working of the Land League, and during the period of agitation made several courageous and uncompromising speeches, which so seriously upset the authorities that Mr. Shackleton was deprived of his Commission of the Peace.

In the various movements for the settlement of the land question Mr. Shackleton took an active part. He served on the Evicted Tenants’ Committee, and up to the very last he retained the same keen interest in the various developments of political warfare and fortunes of the Irish Nationalist cause.

It may be added that Mr. Shackleton was always an enthusiastic advocate of the peace movement, and opposed to every form of militarism.

His death removes from our midst a brave and loyal son of Ireland, an able industrialist, whose family have left their name written large on the history of Irish commerce, and a kindly and courteous Christian gentleman. There will be sincere and widespread regret at the loss of this veteran fighter in the ranks of the nation, especially in his native County of Kildare.