Encyclopedia Titanica

Patrick Ryan

Third Class Passenger

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan

Mr Patrick Ryan was born in Toomdeely, Askeaton, Co Limerick, Ireland on 28 February 1880.

He was the son of Thomas Ryan (b. circa 1833), a farmer, and Ellen O'Donoghue (b. circa 1843) who had married on 2 March 1867.
Patrick grew up in a bi-lingual Roman Catholic household and was brother to eleven known siblings: Mary (b. 12 February 1868), Margaret (b. 22 January 1869), Ellen (b. 13 March 1870), John (b. 7 May 1871), Johanna (b. 18 May 1872), Bridget (b. 30 November 1873), Eliza (b. 18 December 1875), Michael (b. 1 December 1877), Hanoria (b. 14 May 1882), Thomas (b. 20 June 1883) and James (b. 12 March 1885).

Patrick and his family appear on the 1901 census living at house 10 in Toomdeely North (Tuaim Dhaoile Thuaidh) in Askeaton, Co Limerick and he was described as a farmer's son at the time. His mother died following a stroke on 5 April 1908; the remaining family appear on the 1911 census living at house 1 Toomdeely North and he was one of several siblings still living with their widowed father.

A friend from his locality, a New York policeman Daniel Moran, had returned from the USA for a visit, possibly tempting Patrick to join him on the return to America. He therefore joined the Titanic in Queenstown on 11 April 1912 as a third class passenger (joint ticket number 371110 which cost £24, 3s).  He was travelling with Moran and his sister Bridget. Another local travelling with them was Margaret Madigan. Ryan was travelling to an address in Bronx, New York where he allegedly had a job waiting for him the in the New York Police Department.

Bridget Moran and Margaret Madigan were the only survivors from the group; Patrick Ryan was lost in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His elderly father later sued the White Star Line over the death of his son, claiming negligence on the Line's part, and the case later went to court in London. He was later awarded £100 for Patrick's loss (see Ryan v. OSNC research article). He remained in Toomdeely for the next few years and passed away in 1918 aged 85.

Patrick Ryan is remembered on the family headstone in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland (plot L1-MTPL-0005).

Research Articles

Senan Molony Titanica! (2004) Ryan's Son
A Commentary on Ryan v. OSNC
Senan Molony Titanica! (2004) The Third Titanic Inquiry - Ryan v. OSNC
Transcript of Precis Law Report

Comment and discuss

  1. Jeanz

    Jeanz

    my aunt has done family tree research and we had family in Ireland by the surname of Ryan....what a coincidence
  2. T Patrick Ryan

    T Patrick Ryan

    Did the exhibit in 2018 and also had Edward Ryan's boarding pass. When I told the group leader that I was also a Ryan, she asked if I had Edward's or Patricks? She said there were 2 Ryan's that boarded Titanic in Queenstown (Cobh) and both from Galway and not related. She got me Patrick's card as well. My family here is long passed and I never heard stories from my Grandpap if we had family on Titanic or not but would be so cool to know
Open Thread Leave a Reply

Titanic Passenger Summary

Name: Mr Patrick Ryan
Age: 32 years 1 month and 16 days (Male)
Nationality: Irish
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: General Labourer
Embarked: Queenstown on Thursday 11th April 1912
Ticket No. 371110, £24 3s
Died in the Titanic disaster (15th April 1912)
Body Not Identified

Page Options

Watch this page

Improve this Biography

If you have any corrections or something to add please  get in touch