Thomas Anthony Ryan (2 February 1936 – 3 October 2007)[1] was an Irish billionaire businessman and philanthropist who co-founded Ryanair in 1984 along with cofounders Christy Ryan and Liam Lonergan (owner of Irish travel agent Club Travel), 9 years after founding Guinness Peat Aviation an international aircraft leasing industry.[2] Through Guinness Peat Aviation and Ryanair, he amassed two fortunes by identifying gaps in the market.[1] Ryanair was believed to be the main source of his wealth in later life: the company became one of the biggest airlines in Europe and was worth approximately $13 billion at the time of his death.[3]
Early life
Ryan was born at Limerick Junction, County Tipperary on 2 February 1936; his father was a train driver.