Copied from Centennial History of NSW 1888 by Barbara Adams

MATTHEW SHANAHAN

Was born in County Limerick in 1825.  He  arrived in NSW in 1855, and entered the service of Mr. Gowing of Jellat Jellat, near Bega,  Remaining with that gentleman for one year, he then purchased some very valuable allotments in Bega, but then sold them for one hundred and eighty pound, and selected land at the time, when the free selection principle was first embodied in the Land Act of the Colony.  His property consists of 300 acres of choice land, which gives ample scope for combining, in a large way, both dairying and farming.  Our subject is one of the oldest residents in the Bega District.