Biographies A-Z

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Ryan, Matthew

Ryan, Matthew (1844–1937), catholic priest, agrarian agitator, and Gaelic Leaguer, was born at Kilduff, Pallasgrean, Co. Limerick, in September 1844, a son of Matthew Ryan, a farmer and a native of Ballyluddy. He learned Latin from an itinerant teacher and was educated at St…

Ryan, Max John

Ryan, Max John (1927–2013), radiologist, was born on 17 June 1927 at 40 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin, the eldest of two sons of Frederick J. Ryan, a medical doctor, and Gladys Ryan (née Monks). After schooling in Dublin and England, Ryan entered the…

Ryan, Michael (‘Mick’)

Ryan, Michael (‘Mick’) (1869–1947), rugby player, was born 4 November 1869 at Racecourse, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, eldest among three sons and two daughters of John Ryan, farmer, from Racecourse, and Anne Ryan (née Moloney), originally from Ballinhowe, Co. Tipperary. Educated at…

Ryan, Patrick

Ryan, Patrick (1853–1900), boxer, was born 15 March 1853 in Thurles, Co. Tipperary. He emigrated with his family from Ireland to America in 1861 and made his career as a professional heavyweight boxer. He was popularly known as ‘the Tory Terror’ and his first major fight was against…

Ryan, Patrick J. (‘Paddy’)

Ryan, Patrick J. (‘Paddy’) (1882–1964), athlete, was born in Old Pallas, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick. He saw his first athletics meeting at Old Pallas in 1897 and decided to take up hammer throwing. In 1902, then a big-framed 6 ft 3 in. (1.9 m), he defeated his idol,…

Ryan, Philomena Frances (Phyllis O'Kelly)

Ryan, Philomena Frances (Phyllis O'Kelly) (1895–1983), chemist, was born 28 February 1895, the youngest child of the seven girls and five boys of John Ryan (1844–1921), farmer, of Tomcoole, near Taghmon, Co. Wexford, and his wife, Elizabeth (‘Eliza’) (née Sutton) (1848–1930).…

Ryan, Phyllis Carmel

Ryan, Phyllis Carmel (1920–2011), actress and theatre producer, was born on 28 July 1920 at 79 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin, the younger of two daughters of Thomas J. Ryan, who served in the British army and was subsequently a civil servant, and his wife May (or 'Maisie') (née…

Ryan, Sir Andrew

Ryan, Sir Andrew (1876–1949), consular official and diplomat, was born 5 November 1876 in Cork, son of Edward Ryan, soap and candle manufacturer of Douglas, Cork. He was educated at the Christian Brothers College, Cork; QCC, receiving his…

Ryan, Thady (Thaddeus) Francis

Ryan, Thady (Thaddeus) Francis (1923–2005), fox hunter and horse breeder, was born in Hatch Street nursing home, Dublin, on 25 September 1923, the eldest son of…

Ryan, Thomas

This is a co-subject for the entry on Ryan, Charles. View the original entry.

Ryan, Thomas Joseph

Ryan, Thomas Joseph (1915–83), catholic bishop, was born 8 February 1915 at Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, the eldest child of five sons and two daughters of Patrick Ryan and his wife Alice, farmers, both originally from Mayo. He was educated at Kilcommon national school and Mount…

Ryan, Timothy (‘Timmie’)

Ryan, Timothy (‘Timmie’) (1909–95), hurler, was born 7 May 1909 at Laught Cross, Ahane, Co. Limerick, son of Patrick Ryan, farmer, and May Ryan (née O'Meara). He was educated locally. Ryan was a founder member of the Ahane club (1926) and was a key figure in the rise of Ahane from a…

Ryan, Tony (Thomas Anthony)

Ryan, Tony (Thomas Anthony) (1936–2007), businessman, was born on 2 February 1936 in a railway cottage at Limerick Junction, Co. Tipperary, the first child of Martin Ryan, a train driver, and his wife Elizabeth (née O'Donnell). He grew up in modest circumstances and moved with his…

Ryan, Veronica

This is a co-subject for the entry on Ryan, John Archibald. View the original entry.

Ryan, William Patrick

Ryan, William Patrick (1867–1942), journalist and Irish revivalist, was born 26 October 1867 in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, son of a farm labourer. He emigrated to London in 1886 and became a journalist. He was involved in the early stages of the Irish revival in London, through acting…

Rycaut, Sir Paul

Rycaut, Sir Paul (1629–1700), author, diplomat and chief secretary, was born in late 1629 and baptised in the parish of St Christopher-le-Stocke, on 23 December 1629, the youngest son of Sir Peter Rycaut and his wife Mary van der Colge (or Vercolge). Rycaut's father was a Dutch …

Ryder, Thomas

Ryder, Thomas (1735–91), actor, singer, and theatre manager, was born in England, elder of two sons of Preswick Ryder, provincial actor and manager, and Sarah Ryder (née Darby), actress. His younger brother, Samuel (1738–71), was an actor in Ireland. A career in the theatre beckoned…

Ryle, Maurice P.

Ryle, Maurice P. (1868–1935), journalist, was born in Co. Kerry and began his career as a journalist at Tralee. He supported Charles Stewart Parnell (qv) in the split, and in 1891 left Kerry for Dublin as a reporter on the newly…

Rylett, Harold

Rylett, Harold (1851–1936), non-subscribing presbyterian minister, journalist, land leaguer, and home ruler, was born 4 February 1851 in Boston Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, the son of Henry Rylett, a book binder, and later a commercial traveler, of Boston Road, and his wife Mary Jane…

Rynd, Francis

Rynd, Francis (1801–61), surgeon, was born in Dublin, second among five sons of James Rynd (1748–1814), gentleman, of Ryndville, near Enfield, Co. Meath, and his third wife, Hester, daughter of Robert Fleetwood of Parkstown, Co. Meath. He had three sisters, and also three half-brothers…

Rynne, Etienne Andrew

Rynne, Etienne Andrew (1932–2012), archaeologist, was born on 11 September 1932 at 20 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin, one of six children (five boys and a girl) of Dr Michael Rynne (qv), a civil servant and diplomat, and…

Rynne, Michael Andrew Lysaght

Rynne, Michael Andrew Lysaght (1899–1981), civil servant and diplomat, was born 12 September 1899 in Hampshire, England, the first son of wealthy Irish parents Dr Michael Rynne and Mary Rynne (née O'Mara). The family moved to Limerick in 1907 on the death of his father. His siblings…

Rynne, Stephen

Rynne, Stephen (1901–80), farmer, writer, and broadcaster, was born in Hampshire, second son of wealthy Irish parents, Dr Michael Rynne and Mary Rynne (née O'Mara). The family moved (1907) to Limerick, where Stephen attended Sacred Heart College, the Crescent, till he went to Clongowes…

Ryves, Elizabeth

Ryves, Elizabeth (1749–97), author, journalist, and translator, was born in Ireland, eldest of three daughters. Her father was probably Robert Ryves who had been a lieutenant in the 31st Regiment of Foot in 1740; no details of her mother are known. The family claimed to be related…

Ryves, Sir William

Ryves, Sir William (d. 1648), judge, was the sixth son of John Ryves of Blandford, Dorset, and his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Mervyn of Fonthill, Dorset. He entered the Middle Temple in 1593 and was called to the bar seven years later. In 1619 he appears as a bencher at…