Michael Kennedy Ryan

Canon Michael Kennedy Ryan (4 October 1867 – 3 April 1925 ) was an Irish Catholic priest, teacher and supporter of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Biography

Michael Kennedy Ryan was born at Knockfune, Newport, County Tipperary, on 4 October 1867. (Other sources

He served as Chairman of the Tipperary County Board of the GAA.

He taught at the seminary of St. Patrick's College, Thurles for four years.

The New Stand, Ardán Ui Riain in Semple Stadium is named after Canon Ryan. The Canon Ryan Memorial Hall in Lattin, South Tipperary where he served as parish priest is also named after him.

His family were heavily involved in Gaelic sports and Irish nationalism, and two of his brothers were significant figures in the GAA. His nephew Paddy Ryan (Lacken) played a significant role in the war of independence in Tipperary (Newport GAA's Lacken Park is named after him) and was elected TD for Tipperary in 1923. Another nephew Martin Ryan was a Fianna Fáil politician who represented Tipperary North in the Dáil.