Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 73.8	$ 62.0	$ 54.4
Shire plc Ordinary Shares
Dividends per share declared	$ 0.1333	$ 0.1150
Dividends per share paid	$ 0.1333	$ 0.1150	$ 0.0991
ADS
Dividends per share declared	$ 0.3999	$ 0.3450
Dividends per share paid	$ 0.3999	$ 0.3450	$ 0.2972

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity impact of common stock cash dividends declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration