Thomas Ryan (Irish Army officer)

Thomas (Tommy) Ryan (1893-1980), was born in Tubrid, County Tipperary, and fought during the Irish War of Independence attached to the 6th (after Dec. 1920 redesignated as 5th) Battalion, (Cahir), Third Tipperary Brigade, I.R.A..

Tommy Ryan was part of the Tipperary Gaelic football team which played against Dublin in Croke Park on November 21, 1920. This day has become known as Bloody Sunday as the British military invaded the pitch as a reprisal for the assassination of the Cairo Gang. After this date Ryan went on the run and joined Seán Hogan's number 2 flying column. After the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he sided with the Government forces and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Irish Defence Forces. On his death he was buried with full military honours at the churchyard of his native village of Ballylooby.