Sean Ryan

Who was Sean Ryan?

Seán Ryan was a famous Irish master fiddler and whistler.

Ryan was born at Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland. He won the Oireachtas in 1954, the Senior All Ireland Fiddle Championship in 1955 and 1956, and the All Ireland Duet Championship title with P.J. Moloney in 1956. Ryan had 3 sisters and 6 brothers. His 3 sisters and 2 of his brothers have also died. Ryan came up from Nenagh to Garryhinch, Portarlington where he stayed with his grandmother, and it was while he was living with his grandmother that he met his first wife Anna Dunne. The couple got married in November 1945 and settled in Cloneyhurke. They had 7 children and 5 out of the 7 live around the Cloneyhurke area to date. Ryan composed some music in Cloneyhurke. Ryan's home in Cloneyhurke became a talking point with the locals as many famous musicians; e.g. Barney Mc Kenna, Joe Burke came to their home to play music with Ryan. Ryan's wife Anna died in March 1957. Ryan married his second wife Kathleen in 1966, and they settled in Rosenallis, and they had 3 children. He composed most of his tunes here, up to the time of his death. Ryan died on 15 November 1985. But his music lives on. Two books of Ryan's compositions were published by his wife Kathleen and his son Brian. In 2011 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death a double CD of his recordings was published by Kathleen.