<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>14
<FILENAME>shireex231.txt
<TEXT>


                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN, INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Shire Pharmaceuticals Group
plc Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report included in the Shire
Pharmaceuticals Group plc current report on Form 8-K dated August 15 2001 on our
audits of the financial statements of Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc as of
December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 and for the periods then ended.

                                           /s/ Arthur Andersen
                                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN

November 6, 2001


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>