 The eldest son of John Ryan, a native of Kilconly, and Bridget Mullahy, of Seephin, in the parish of Kilcommon, County Mayo.There were eight children, with three of the four boys, (Michael & Paddy) including Mark becoming doctors.John Ryan had farms in three different parts of Kilconly, one which was held from a landlord known as "French of Tirowen," which is near Gort.