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The Ryans are directly descended from Drona, who was fourth in descent from Cathair Mor, founder of the Drona tribe. The O'Riains, or anglicised Ryans, were chiefs of the tribe of Ui Drona (descendants of Drona), anglicised Idrone, and settled in Carlow and Kilkenny where they gave their name to the area.
In the eleventh century, the Chief of Ui Drona (descendants of Drona) took the surname of O'Ryan, and the clan continued to possess the original stronghold of the family Ui Idrone i.e. much of present-day County Carlow and westward into County Kilkenny, in the vicinity of Graiguenamanagh.
In the late 12th century Dermot O'Ryan of Idrone granted land for the building of an abbey at Graiguenamanagh. The Cistercian Duiske Abbey at Graiguenamanagh is one of the oldest buildings associated with the Ryan family, and is still intact. It is now beautifully restored and is used as the Parish Church up to the present time.
The great historian, Geoffrey Keating, describes the Ryans as follows "A Sept most free and hospitable", and for their constant opposition to the English colonists, they had their possessions confiscated in the Cromwellian, and Williamites periods. The ancient Leighlin Cathedral, located to the north of Graiguenamanagh and about five miles west of Leighlinbridge was the major church in the Diocese in the centre of Idrone territory. The Cathedral, which is still used as a place of worship, was used for many events involving the Ryan family down through the centuries. A number of significant houses identified with the family are located near Goresbridge on the River Barrow, sixteen miles south of Carlow town.
In the 19th century, they were recorded as Ballinise, Aughtelkane Lodge and Ballycabus, and some are still occupied today. Seskin Ryan, a hamlet located to the south of Bagnelstown, County Carlow has strong family ties and now consists of a few houses. Although strictly outside the Idrone territory, Foulksrath Castle, eight miles north west of Kilkenny City, was owned by the Ryan family for many years, and is now used as a youth hostel.
THE RYANS OF TIPPERARY AND LIMERICK The O'Maoilriains, or anglicised Mulryans, are directly descended from Fergus, ninth in descent from Cathair Mor and are said to have settled in the 13th century in the rich pasturelands of the Golden Vale bordering Tipperary and Limerick.
The O'Maoilriains, who were chiefs of Owney, settled in that territory which is now known as the Baronies of Owney, County Tipperary and Owney-beg in the east of County Limerick and later moved in to the Barony of Kilnamanagh, County Tipperary, where they became very numerous and powerful. The prefix "Maol" or "Mul", which signifies "bald", and is described by some as meaning "Follower of" always referred to the O'Mulryans of Owney but gradually became obsolete, and was developed by Dr. Petty when he completed the Civil and Down Survey's for the Cromwellian Government. Most of the buildings constructed by the Ryans (O'Mulryans) when they arrived in the Owney territory of Munster were demolished prior to, or during the 17th century when their properties were confiscated by Cromwellian forces.
One of the Castles destroyed in the mid-15th century by the Earl of Ormond was Cragg Castle in County Tipperary, six miles south east of Killaloe. Situated on rocky, elevated ground overlooking the River Shannon, this stronghold was built here because of its strategic location. One mile east of Cragg, in a valley, is the ancient burial ground of this branch of the family. Passing through the double style in this cemetery, with its interesting coffin rest (possibly 18th century or earlier) one can see many Ryan graves, and without undue difficulty, read inscriptions going back to the Great Famine era of the mid-19th century.
Other Castles that were destroyed by the Earl of Ormond in the 15th century were Abingdon, County Limerick, and nearby Owney Abbey. A number of Ryans are buried in an ancient, but still used, graveyard surrounding the site of the ruined Abbey, and at a slightly lower level, stand the 20 ft. high remains of a square tower. Tradition suggests that this building was a vicar's choral or other part of the old Abbey. At Newport, County Tipperary, six miles north of Abingdon, is located one of the best-preserved buildings associated with the Ryan clan. The delightful Ballymackeogh House was, for centuries, the home of a branch of the family that originated in the Nenagh (County Tipperary) area. A Mr. Hurley who bought it in 1972 now privately owns it. An ancient church and burial ground for this and other branches of the family down through the years are located beside the long driveway leading to the House.
The ruins of Cully Castle are situated less than three miles from Newport, amongst the foothills of the Slieve Felim Mountains. Confiscated from Teige Ryan by Oliver Cromwell's forces in 1642, this large fortress with rounded corners was granted to a Hardress Waller who renamed it Castle Waller. Once a massive structure with at least two small circular flanking towers, it is now an ivy-clad ruin showing traces of both periods of ownership, including a vast two acres of orchards encircled by high walls. An interesting thing about Castle Waller is that although the ruins of the Castle still stand, we see attached to the one side a more modern cottage residence which is still occupied. Another ruined castle which at one times belonged to the Ryan Family and also in this general vicinity is Castle Craig. It is situated on a dairy farm, but the property is no longer owned by a Ryan. In this area there are also the sites of at least two more ex-Ryan castles, but virtually all trace of them has now been obliterated.
Across the Shannon River in County Clare, the beautiful Cathedral erected by King Donal Mor O'Brien of Thomond at Killaloe was granted to a member of the Ryan family when the monasteries in Ireland were destroyed by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. Historical documents show that William Ryane of Tipperary, Gent, "in consideration of the sum of £6. 13s. 4d. was given it to hold forever on the payment of a twentieth part of a Knight's fee and a rent of four pence." Killaloe Cathedral is still in regular use, as the Church of Ireland's main church in the diocese of that name. Another building that became the property of the Ryans in King Henry VIII's time was the old Augustine Priory at Tipperary Town. This was granted to a William Ryan for £20. A substantial Ryan castle is reputed to have existed at Sologhead, five miles north west of Tipperary Town. Situated in the midst of some of the best land in the Golden Vale, and half-way between the Tipperary hills and the county's central range, this site was one of great importance through the centuries.
Back in the 11th century, the great King Brian Boru had a successful skirmish with the invading Danes at Sologhead. A significant ambush also took place there in the Irish War of Independence earlier in the 20th. century. Although the Castle and the nearby Abbey are no longer visible, grave-diggers often discover the latter's (Abbey's) ancient walls. A fine new church is now located on the site. Ballyryan "the town of the Ryans" - is located near Sologhead and now consists of only a few houses. One such, of note, is a farming property "Ballyryan House" situates several kilometers outside the town and still owned and operated by a Ryan which offers B&B accommodation to visitors.
The Ryans have left their mark not only in the traditional Owney territories, but also all over mid and north Tipperary and East Limerick where they are to be found in almost every parish today. For instance, Holycross Abbey, nine miles north of Cashel in County Tipperary, had an Abbot in 1455 named Matthew O'Mulryan. One of King Donal Mor O'Brien's great buildings, Holycross, was recently extensively restored. Inch House, the home of a branch known by that name is only seven miles from Holycross and is quite close to another prominent Ryan district, Borrisoleigh, where a branch of the family owned 906 acres of land in the 17th. century. Like the powerful Tyrone branch of the family - just south of Nenagh, County Tipperary - many of the Ryans have lived in these areas for centuries but, no doubt, originated from within the Owney territory. Cathair Mor, the Founder of the Clan, is reputed to have been herded across the south of Ireland between the two main territories of the family, Idrone and Owney.
The Ryan surname (and its variant forms) is eight most numerous in whole of Ireland. There are an estimated 28,000 bearers name resident Ireland at present time. However, we must not forget that possibly ten times total Ryans living outside shores - two Americas, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Europe, African continent and, to a lesser extent, Asia and rest world.
PROMINENT RYANS There were Ryans who bore this illustrious name with honour and distinction in all walks of life. "The Ryan Dynasty" refers to a remarkable family of twelve from Tomcoole in the fertile farmlands of Wexford, were of the Leinster Branch, descendants of the Ryans of Idrone. Dr. James Ryan, a Fianna Fail member of the Dail (the Irish Parliament) for Wexford, was a senator and, as member of De Valera's Government, held at different times the post of Minister of Agriculture, Health, and Social Welfare. Kate married Sean T. O'Kelly who became President of Ireland and held office from 1945 to 1959. Phyllis, her younger sister became his second wife after Kate's death. Other members of this talented twelve were farmers or priests and the women married into politics and medicine. The Owney Ryans also had their outstanding family. The Ryans of Knocklong, County Limerick, have records going back to the 17th century. A Thaddeus Ryan fought at the Battle of Aughrim and the Siege of Limerick. In the present time Thaddy Ryan has been Master of the Scarteen Hounds, the great Black and Tan foxhounds which his family has bred for more than 300 years. From this area was the rapparee, - Eamonn Riain -, author of the famed Irish song "Eamonn O Chnuic" (Ned of the Hill), which is in fact a song about the author himself who was a well known outlaw or "Raparee" as they were known at the time. He is said to have been a Jacobite officer who took to these hills after the Treaty of Limerick (1691) and preyed on the English planters (Englishmen / Scotsmen granted title to confiscated Irish land) in North Tipperary. According to legend he was finally murdered by a Family Member, for the reward placed on his head by the English, but when they went to claim the reward they found that the English had granted him a pardon, lifted the declaration of outlawry, and the reward no longer applied. There are Ryans in every county in Ireland, but the main branches of the family are associated with the provinces of Leinster and Munster, and more particularly Munster.
TERRITORY AND STRONGHOLDS OF THE RYANS Baronies of Owney with Arra and Owney Beg. The Barony of Idrone, (Co. Carlow). Abington Castle, (Co. Limerick). Cragg Castle & Ballymackeogh House, (Newport, Co. Tipperary). Killaloe Cathedral, (Co. Clare). Tara, (Co. Meath). Cistercian Duiske Abbey, (Co. Kilkenny).
CONTACTS IN IRELAND
1. John BRADSHAW.
Clann na hEireann Office, 45 West Main Street, Tipperary Town.
Email: tippclan@iol.ie
2. Christopher RYAN.
President, Ryan Clan (Ireland)
29 The View, Woodpark, Ballinteer, Dundrum, Dublin.
Telephone: 01-2988082
Email: ryanc@iol.ie
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS
1. AUSTRALIA:
Edward (Ted) Ryan,
50 Stewart Terrace, Gympie, Queensland 4570
President & Founder of:- Clan Ryan (Queensland). &
Ryan Clan (Australia)
Email: eryan@gympie.spiderweb.com.au
2. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
1. J. Terry Ryan,
Tallahassee,Florida, USA
President & Founder of :- Clan Ryan Association - US Sept
Email: trakker@nettally.com
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