Father Paddy Ryan spent a lifetime in the service of others. From missionary work in Africa as a priest with the Pallottine Order to crucial work as an active participant in the struggle for full Irish freedom.
Born in the townland of Turraheen near Rossmore in County Tipperary in 1930, Father Paddy was one of six children in a farming family instilled with Catholic piety and Irish nationalism. The great patriot Thomas Davis once said, Where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows. I know from my discussions with Father Paddy that he was enormously proud of his native county and its prominent role in the struggle to achieve Irish nationhood. From the 1848 rebellion to the rise of Fenianism and the founding of the GAA, County Tipperary was the focal point of so much that is best in our nation. Tipp places and names, such as Soloheadbeg, the Glen of Aherlow, Sean Treacy, Dan Breen, and Dinny Lacey, are etched into our historical consciousness. It wasn’t in a man like Father Paddy Ryan, from such a place and imbued with such a tradition, to stand idly by when a renewed fight for freedom called once again upon brave men and women to answer the call.
Father Paddy wasn’t impulsive. He was thoughtful and deliberate in his actions. He was both physically and morally courageous. That is a rare combination. He would never permit narrow rationalisations of what was best for him personally to affect his judgement on what was the right thing to do, regardless of the risk to his life or liberty.
Father Paddy never wavered in his devotion to the Republican ideal. We may have interpreted it in different ways, but we knew what it meant by the Republic. It is Ireland unfettered by foreign control or domestic divisions cultivated by the foreigner. It does not defer to Britain for terms and conditions regarding its unity and independence. The Republic is a thirty-two-county sovereign and secular state to which Irish citizens of all traditions give allegiance. It stands for freedom, social justice, and civic unity across the sectarian divide. Father Paddy stood by that Republic his entire life.
I would encourage anyone who wants to know more about Father Paddy Ryan to read the story of his remarkable life in a book called The Padre published two years ago. In that book he talks about his travels to Libya. Presented today at the altar was a coat that Colonel Ghadaffi gave him so that has some historical resonance.
I last met Father Paddy in February of this year and was planning to meet up with him again during the summer. When we spoke, it was clear he was fading physically, but his mental acuity and memory were outstanding. He was as sharp as ever. I was impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the inner workings of the Republican Movement, as it was then, and fascinated by his depictions of some leading figures. Both good and bad.
Today, we bid farewell to a proud Tipperary man, a proud Irishman, a proud, unrepentant, and unapologetic Irish republican.
I believe I speak for many republicans around Ireland when I say to Father Paddy, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for devoting so much of your great intellect and courage to your country’s cause and not expending them solely on your personal advancement. He gave much, expecting nothing in return, and got nothing in return: nothing but the undying respect and admiration of his friends and comrades.
A man of faith in his god and his country. A man of steely determination. An authentic man. Father Paddy Ryan will be sadly missed but never forgotten as he enters the pantheon of Irish patriots and the pages of Irish history.
Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Up the Republic!
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| John Crawley is a former IRA volunteer and author of The Yank. |
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