Paul Ryan: New York Irish Musician 

(June 30, 1913 - February 23, 1980)

by Jeff Ksiazek

updated 11/01/2023

A frequent collaborator of Paddy Killoran in the 1930s and John O'Neill in the 1950s, Paul Ryan was a multi-instrumentalist, known primarily for playing fiddle, but also was accomplished at viola, clarinet, saxophone, tin whistle, harmonica, and accordion. Classically trained, he was active as a teacher and performer from the 1930s through the 1970s.

Paul Ryan: Early Life and Music

Born on June 30, 1913 in New York to Irish parents, Ryan came from a large family. His father, Patrick, was a native of Tullamore, Co. Offaly. His mother, Ellen, was from Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan. His brothers Thomas and James, as well as his sisters Helen and Frances, were also musicians. Paul and his siblings learned music through The Academy of Music of Maestro Hugo Gigante, although their parents may have been musical as well. Paul's brother, James Ryan, is credited as the saxophone soloist on the 1934 recording of Killoran's Pride of Erin Orchestra's “Sweeps/Heirloom” set of hornpipes; Paul may have played clarinet on the recording.
 

Ryan played for James Clark's Smiles and Tears of Erin Orchestra and appeared on a number of radio broadcasts with that band over WLWL. He also had a long tenure with the Columbia University Symphony Orchestra. 

Paddy Killoran's Trip to the Eucharistic Congress

Paul Ryan traveled with the Killoran group to Ireland for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. Other band members included Michael Whitey Andrews, Jim McGinn, Jack Healy, and Paddy Killoran himself. The band performed for the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alfred Byrne, at the Madison House. According to "Dolan's Corner" in the Irish Advocate newspaper: "so enthusiastic was the Lord Mayor over Paul's mastery of the violin that he let him try on the official robes of his office, gold chain and all."

S. S. Laconia Passenger List, August 1932

After his return, Paul Ryan performed with the Flanagan Brothers at Innisfail Hall.

Paul Ryan's Irish Music Career, 1940s - 1970s

Paul is known to have recorded some duets with Paddy Killoran for the Dublin Records label later in the 1950s or 1960s. You can hear him playing viola on “The Pride of Rockchapel/Sarsfield's” set from the Irish Traditional Music Archive website.

The Dublin Records label was co-founded by accordionist John O'Neill, and Paul Ryan was part of O'Neill's house band at the Jaegar House in Manhattan. Paul can be heard on both of John O'Neill's recordings, Irish Folk Music and Irish Ballroom Dancing.

Paul Ryan is also remembered as a teacher among the New York Irish community. He is known to have taught Kathleen Collins fiddle for a number of years, as well as accordion to her brother Dan Collins. Paul' son, Paul Ryan, Jr., remembers that his father taught at his students' homes:

Before he came home he'd have a cup of tea with the family; they loved him; he was peaceful and loved teaching the kids; he was frank with the parents regarding their children and their progress: he gave the students a good chance, but would advise against spending money for lessons if the student wasn"t interested. He wasn't in it for the money. He loved it.

A short interview and solo recordings of Ryan were made by Ciaran Mac Mathuna for RTE in 1962. These were broadcast as part of Job of Journeywork and were released on RTE cassette 124.

In the 1970s, Paul performed with Jim McPhail's band and recorded with them on the Irish Musical Memories album in 1979.

Paul Ryan, Jr., is also a musician and played with his father at the John Barleycorn in New York for two years along with accordionist Mike O'Rourke. The trio played Irish and American sing-alongs, dance tunes, rebel songs, and waltzes.

Note: Any other information about Paul Ryan would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Archives if you have any more info.

Many thanks to Paul Ryan, jr., Paul Groff, Ted McGraw, Don Meade, Luke O'Malley, Hugh O'Rourke, Sean Quinn, and Philippe Varlet for their help.