Shelia Jordan

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Shelia Jordan was the Mayor of Galway from 1977 to 1978. She was born in Lower Salthill and later lived on Raleigh Row, the fourth of seven children of Patrick Walsh and Sabina Coyne. Her father served as a sergeant major with the Connaught Rangers and fought at Gallipoli; two of his brothers, Michael and Peter, were killed in action. After returning home, he became a tailor. In 1945 she married John Jordan of Abbey Lane, Galway. They had four children: Mary, Gerard, Hilary, and John. She became active in the Woodquay and District Residents Association as chairperson and secretary, which helped her enter politics. She was the third elected candidate in the 1974 elections and became Mayor in 1977. During her term she hosted ambassadors from France, Britain and Russia. She and her husband attended Church of Ireland services on three occasions; a preacher once said, “if one leaves the door open, you will never know just who might walk in.”