TOM SHANAHAN RIP (Kingdom Greyhound Stadium)
Tralee and the greyhound fraternity who are passionate about Greyhound racing were saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Shanahan (85) on Tuesday May 6th.
Tom was a tremendous and dedicated contributor to the success of greyhound racing at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, like his father Danny before him. Even after his retirement he was still very much part of the family at the stadium and rarely would a day or a race night go by, that Tom would not make an appearance until a few months ago.
Tom had no enemies because he was one of life’s true gentlemen, a beautiful human being who was kind, gentle and inoffensive and an hour in his company was hour of learning whether it be about hare systems, boxes, Ardfert track where it all began, Ballinorig, Ballyregan Bob, the night a semi-final of a major stake was ran and counted despite the absence of the hare! The various managers he worked under and of course his specialist subject which was disasters and the Titanic in particular!
Tom Shanahan’s long involvement with Tralee track began when a youngster, when his father Danny an engineer was asked to help out with the operation of the hare at Oakview, shortly after World War 2 ended. Both Tom and his brother Donal accompanied their Dad as the process of changing over to a new hare system from the old overhead system which had been brought from Ardfert and used at the Tralee venue. Tom’s father Danny designed a new hare system and maintained it under the watchful gaze of his son. So began over seventy years’ involvement and association by Tom at the Brewery Rd venue. On January 1st 1972 Tom was appointed as hare driver and continued in that role until he semi-retired in 1997 when the Kingdom Stadium was upgraded and officially opened. But after the new hare driver retired after six years, Tom was back at the helm for six months, until the current incumbent Paul Jones took over. Tom was then the relief driver until 2012 when he changed to being the consultant on track maintenance and he was often seen down on the track directing operations during a mechanical malfunction as Tom was the guru when it came to hare system.
Tom will be missed by all who knew him and especially by all whoever darkened the door of the Judges Box at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium and all his family and friends.
Our deepest sympathies to his brother Michael, sister in law Carmel, his cousins, neighbours and all his friends.
RIP TOM
Tom Shanahan Cloonbeg Terrace, Tralee, Kerry.
Tom Shanahan of Cloonbeg Terrace and formerly Clash, Tralee, Co. Kerry, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on 6th May 2025,
beloved brother of Mick and brother-in-law of Carmel, son of the late Dan & Katty & brother of the late Donal.
Deeply mourned by his loving family, his Shanahan, O’Sullivan & Moriarty cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.
“ Suaimhneas Síoraí Air ”
Reposing at the Gleasure Funeral Home, Tralee on Thursday (8th May) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Funeral arriving to St. John’s Church, on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. where the Requiem Mass for Tom will be celebrated at 10 a.m. (streamed on www.stjohns.ie). Interment afterwards in New Rath Cemetery.