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.
[2] Shaw was a keen sportsman and took part in rowing, rugby, athletics and hurling, but golf became his main interest.
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.