Barry Ryan
Barry Ryan Sr was a truly ‘great man’, who sacrificed his life in an effort to save the lives of others, his funeral mass heard today.
Mourners who packed the Sacred Heart Church in Rath, Baltimore were told of Mr Ryan’s exceptional kindness, compassion, spirituality and generosity throughout his life.
He died in a tragic accident after his son Barry Davis Ryan (21) and his son’s girlfriend, Niamh O’Connor (20) were swept out to sea in his ‘beloved Baltimore’ earlier this week.
Chief among the mourners were his partner Ann Davies, his children Arthur and Charlotte, his mother Rose and father Arthur, founder of the Irish retail giant Penneys.
In a eulogy delivered by his brother in law, Danny Kelly, on behalf of the Davis and Ryan families, prayers were offered for the recovery of Barry Jr, who remains missing and for his ‘lovely’ girlfriend, Niamh O’Connor from Glanmire, who was laid to rest on Saturday.
Mr Ryan was ‘a good Samaritan,’ Mr Kelly said.
“Last Tuesday, without any regard for his own well being and personal safety, he sacrificed his own life in an effort to save his son Barry Jr and the lovely Niamh O’Connor,” Mr Kelly said.
“Barry was a very spiritual person, who always put others first, especially those in greatest need,” he said.
*Written by Louise Roseingrave