The Shannon Ulster Titanic Society was founded 80 years after the sinking of the Titanic. The society was founded by Patrick Toms to commemorate his grandfather who perished as a result of the Titanic disaster. He was christened in St Colmans Cathedral in Cobh Co Cork, joined as a boy seaman,married in St Marys Church Poole Dorset,was then in the America Line as a Quartermaster on the SS Philadelphia. He transferred to the Titanic and his drowned body was never recovered.

Abbeyleix Heritage Company is indebted to Patrick Toms for his continued support of the Titanic Exhibition at Heritage House, for which Patrick has provided a number of key exhibits from the society's collection.