Michael Ryan born c1834 to Cornelius ‘Con’ Ryan (1803-10 Mar 1868) and Margaret (Riordan) Ryan (1810 – 25 Jan 1888) at Thurles, Tipperary. He was baptised at Thurles parish 26th November 1834 with sponsors Richard Brett and Mary Barry.
Michael Ryan and friend (possibly cousin?) John Cahill were sponsored immigrants to NSW by James Cahill who was already in NSW living in Yass or Burrowa area. Michael was given a reference by Thomas Bourke, Post Master at Thurles and his address was given as Quarry St, Thurles where he lived with his parents Cornelius/Con Ryan a shoemaker and Margaret Ryan nee Riordan.
Michael Ryan and John Cahill made their way to Liverpool where they boarded the “Hannah Moore” arriving in Sydney on 6th May 1860.
In February 1863 Michael Ryan marries Honorah ‘Norah’ Mahony at Yass, NSW. Norah emigrated from Banteer, Cork. Michael and Norah moved to Burrowa where Michael conducted a bootmaking business.
In Sept 1862 Michael sponsored the emigration to NSW of his sister Mary Ryan (aged 20 yrs, b1842) a house servant from Thurles, Tipperary who can read. Mary arrives the following year in September 1863 aboard the “Peerless”. In 1864 Michael sponsored the emigration of his brother Edmund Ryan, a labourer, from Thurles who arrives aboard “General Caulfield” in Oct 1865.
Michael and Norah would have 10 children: Margaret, Cornelius, James, Thomas, Mary Ann, Ellen, Honorah 1st , Edward, Honora 2nd and Michael. Michael died after an “operation for dropsy” in Feb 1882 at Burrowa, NSW.