Born in Cavan, parents Patrick and Susan Ryan between 1800 and 1813. Arrived in Sydney, Australia 1829 . Moved to the Port Phillip District (Victoria) sometime in 1840/1841. In 1842, he married in Melbourne, Australia to Mary Deeves. Lived in Kilmore, Victoria, Australia from 1857. He died on his farm in 1867. His wife continued to operate the farm till her son, Michael, took over in the 1880s’ She died in 1897 at her daughter’s residence. Michael junior continued the farm called Lowlands until his death in 1910. He was on the local council and was shire president in 1899.