Mr Patrick Ryan

Who was Patrick Ryan?

Patrick Ryan was a 32 (thirty-two) year old Irish general labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on February 28, 1880, in Toomdeely, Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland, Ryan was a third-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on a journey that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise.

Early Life and Background

A Large Irish Family

Patrick Ryan grew up in a bilingual Roman Catholic household, the son of Thomas Ryan, a farmer born around 1833, and Ellen O’Donoghue, born circa 1843. His parents married on March 2, 1867, and Patrick was one of twelve children:

Mary (born February 12, 1868)
Margaret (born January 22, 1869)
Ellen (born March 13, 1870)
John (born May 7, 1871)
Johanna (born May 18, 1872)
Bridget (born November 30, 1873)
Eliza (born December 18, 1875)
Michael (born December 1, 1877)
Patrick (born February 28, 1880)
Hanoria (born May 14, 1882)
Thomas (born June 20, 1883)
James (born March 12, 1885)

Life in Toomdeely North

The Ryan family’s life was deeply rooted in the rural community of Toomdeely North, Askeaton. Key milestones in Patrick’s life include:

1901: The family appears in the census, living at house 10 in Toomdeely North, with Patrick described as a farmer’s son.
April 5, 1908: Patrick’s mother, Ellen, passes away following a stroke.
1911: The census shows the remaining family, including Patrick, living at house 1 Toomdeely North with their widowed father.

The Titanic Journey

What inspired Patrick Ryan to embark on this fateful voyage?

Patrick’s decision to travel to America was influenced by a friend from his locality, Daniel J. Moran, a New York policeman who had returned from the USA for a visit. This connection likely sparked Patrick’s interest in seeking opportunities across the Atlantic.

Titanic Boarding Details

Embarkation Point: Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland
Date of Boarding: April 11, 1912
Passenger Class: Third Class
Ticket Number: 371110
Fare: £24 3s (24 pounds, 3 shillings)

Travel Companions

Patrick Ryan was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by:

Daniel J. Moran
Bridget (Bertha) Moran, Daniel’s sister
Margaret Madigan, another local from their area

Destination and Aspirations

Ryan was travelling to an address in Bronx, New York where he allegedly had a job waiting for him in the New York Police Department.

This potential job opportunity in the NYPD highlights the aspirations and hopes that Patrick carried with him on his journey to America.

Fate During the Disaster

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, Patrick Ryan did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. Of his travel group, only Bridget Moran and Margaret Madigan survived the disaster. Patrick’s body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Legal Action

Following the tragedy, Patrick’s elderly father took action:

He sued the White Star Line for negligence in the death of his son.
The case was heard in court in London.
The Ryan family was awarded £100 in compensation for Patrick’s loss.

Remembering Patrick Ryan

How is Patrick Ryan memorialized?

Patrick Ryan’s memory lives on through:

A family headstone in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland (plot L1-MTPL-0005).
His inclusion in historical records and Titanic passenger lists.
The legal case (Ryan v. OSNC) which became part of the historical record of the Titanic disaster’s aftermath.

The Impact on Toomdeely

The loss of Patrick Ryan had a lasting impact on his home community:

His father remained in Toomdeely for several years after the disaster.
Thomas Ryan, Patrick’s father, passed away in 1918 at the age of 85, having outlived his son by six years.

An Irish Legacy Aboard the Titanic

Patrick Ryan’s story is a poignant reminder of the many Irish immigrants who sought a better life in America, only to have their dreams tragically cut short by the Titanic disaster. His journey from the fields of Limerick to the decks of the world’s most famous ship encapsulates the hopes, fears, and ultimate sacrifices made by countless third-class passengers during that fateful voyage.