1932 - Ballingarry poet Margaret Ryan dies in Kilkenny

Margaret Ryan, whose poetry was praised for its emotional depth and spiritual tone, was born in Garrynoe, Ballingarry in 1847.  

She was educated at the Ursuline Convent in Thurles, which she fondly remembered in her poetry. Her poetry first appeared in the Irish Monthly, a Dublin literary and religious magazine, under the initials “M.R.”, which caused confusion with the editor Fr. Matthew Russell. To avoid this, she adopted the pen name “Alice Esmonde”.

In 1889, her collection ‘Songs of Remembrance’ was published under her real name. Though critically praised, she remained a private and retiring figure, avoiding public attention.

Margaret Ryan’s poetry is steeped in emotion, shaped by personal loss and a deep spiritual sensibility. Her verses often carry a quiet sorrow, reflecting the deaths of loved ones—especially her brother Dr. John Ryan, whose passing in 1885 left a lasting mark on her work.

Religion permeates her writing, not just in theme but intone, with comparisons drawn to Christina Rossetti for their shared devotional style. Though she felt a strong cultural connection to Ireland, she lamented her lack of fluency in the Irish language, expressing a poignant longing to write in her native tongue. Her poems also reveal a love for nature and place,particularly the landscapes of Thurles and the Suir, which she remembered with vivid affection.

She died on 2 February 1932, aged 84, and was buried in her family grave in Ballingarry. No obituary appeared in local papers, reflecting her quiet lifestyle.

 

Sources:

‘Margaret Ryan, Poet of Garrynoe’ by Michael Fitzgerald in Tipperary Historical Journal 1991, pp 129-131.