Born Joseph Ignatius Shanahan on 6 June 1871 in Glankeen, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, Ireland.
He returned to Ireland, to Rockwell College, where he served as prefect and dean of studies.
[5] He returned to Africa, to Kenya to act as chaplain to the Carmelite Sisters in Nairobi in 1938.
However, in January 1956 his remains were brought back to Nigeria for the "second burial" in the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
[7] The Bishop Shanahan National School, in Templeogue, Dublin, developed on land donated by the Holy Ghost Fathers, is named in his honour.