Career
Born in Markethill, Company Armagh, he spent some time in Scotland. He joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1913 and the Irish Volunteers. The same year he was imprisoned by the British authorities and went on a hunger strike in 1917 with Thomas Ashe.
He was in command of the Irish Republican Army in South Armagh during the Irish War of Independence.
After the Irish Civil War, he settled in Portlaoise and became a publican. He chaired the 1934 Ireland Republican Army Army Convention.
He was interned from 1940 to 1941. In 1945 he chaired the first Ireland Republican Army Army Convention after the war.
In 1950 he succeeded Margaret Buckley as President of Sinn Féin, until 1952, and resumed that role in 1954 and was to remain in the post until 1962, when he resigned from the party.
He was regarded as helping to rebuild the party after World World War World War II Around this time, he also owned a public house on the Main Street in Portuguese Laoise, Company Laois, which is now known as the one and only "Ryan"s". A plaque commemorates his former proprietorship.
He died in July 1964, at his home in Blanchardstown, County Dublin, as a result of an accident involving a 9mm Walther pistol.
