Shelia Jordan was the

Mayor of Galway The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area of the city of Galway which is the largest city in the province of Connacht, in Ireland. Th ...

from 1977–1978. A native of Lower

Salthill Salthill () is a Coast, seaside area to the southwest of Galway city centre in the west of Ireland. The area is home to a number of tourist amenities and there is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as "the Prom", which overlooks Galway ...

and later Raleigh Row, Jordan was the fourth of seven children to Patrick Walsh and Sabina Coyne. Patrick was a

sergeant major Sergeant major is a senior Non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned Military rank, rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's ...

with the

Connaught Rangers The Connaught Rangers ("The Devil's Own") was an Ireland, Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army formed by the amalgamation of the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) (which formed the ''1st Battalion'') and the 94th Regiment of Fo ...

and fought during the Gallipoli Campaign. Two of his brothers, Michael and Peter, were killed in action. Upon returning, Patrick Walsh became a

tailor A tailor is a person who makes or alters clothing, particularly in men's clothing. The Oxford English Dictionary dates the term to the thirteenth century. History Although clothing construction goes back to prehistory, there is evidence of ...

. In 1945 she married John Jordan from Galway's Abbey Lane. Their children were Mary, Gerard, Hilary and John. She served as chairperson and secretary of the Woodquay and District Residents Association, and this was her route into city politics. She was the third elected candidate in the 1974 elections, and became Mayor in 1977. During her Mayoralty she entertained the French, British and Russian ambassadors. A notable occurrence during her term was her attendance, with her husband John, to services held by the

Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland (, ; , ) is a Christian church in Ireland, and an autonomy, autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the Christianity in Ireland, second-largest Christian church on the ...

on three occasions. The preacher on the last occasion memorably stated that "if one leaves the door open, you will never know just who might walk in."

References

* ''Role of Honour:The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001'', William Henry, Galway 2001.

External links

List of previous Mayors of Galway
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jordan, Shelia Politicians from County Galway Mayors of Galway Year of birth missing Year of death missing