Catherine Shanahan, known as Babe, was a granddaughter of John Shanahan and Catherine Woulfe.

Born in 1891 in Kilbaha, Newtownsandes (now Moyvane) in Co. Kerry, she was the eldest child of Richard Shanahan of Kilbaha and Catherine Nolan of Leanamore, Ballylongford, Co. Kerry. After her mother died when she was only about 13 years of age, Babe helped raise her younger siblings.

This photo of Babe and Jack Bill was taken on their wedding day in 1916.

Babe lived to be 95 years of age.