Ronan Tynan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronan Tynan
Tynan performs on Good Morning America November 2006
Background information
Born	(1960-05-14) 14 May 1960 (age 65) Dublin, Ireland
Origin	County Kilkenny, Ireland
Genres	Classical
Occupation(s)	Singer (physician by trade)
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1984–present
Associated acts	The Irish Tenors

Ronan Tynan (born May 14, 1960) is a famous Irish tenor singer. He is also a former Paralympic athlete. Many people know him as a member of The Irish Tenors, a popular singing group. He rejoined the group in 2011, but he also has his own solo singing career. In the United States, he is well-known for singing "God Bless America." Ronan Tynan also competed in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympics.

Ronan Tynan's Early Life and Career

Ronan Tynan was born in Dublin, Ireland. His family home is in Johnstown, County Kilkenny. He was born with a condition called phocomelia. This meant his lower legs were not fully developed. His legs were shorter than usual, and his feet pointed outwards. He also had three toes on each foot. Ronan was a twin, but his brother Edmond passed away when he was 11 months old.

When Ronan was 20, he had an accident that injured his back. Because of this injury, he needed to have his legs removed below the knee. This surgery helped him continue to use prosthetic (artificial) legs. Just weeks after the surgery, he was already climbing stairs at his college. Within a year, Ronan was winning international sports competitions.

A Paralympic Champion

Ronan Tynan represented Ireland in the Paralympic Games. He competed in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympics. He won an amazing seven medals! These included four gold medals, two silver, and one bronze. Between 1981 and 1984, he won 18 gold medals in various competitions. He also set 14 world records in track and field events.

After his success in sports, Ronan Tynan made history. He became the first person with a disability to be accepted into the National College of Physical Education in Limerick. He worked for about two years in the prosthetics industry. This industry makes artificial body parts. Later, he studied at Trinity College. He became a doctor specializing in Orthopedic Sports Injuries. He graduated in 1993.

Ronan's father, Edmund, encouraged him to study singing. Ronan won several singing awards. Soon after, he joined the famous group, The Irish Tenors.

Ronan Tynan is a devoted Roman Catholic. He has appeared on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He also sang at the special installation Mass for New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan. This event took place at St. Patrick's Cathedral on April 15, 2009.

Notable Performances

Ronan Tynan has performed at many important events. He has sung for several events attended by former U.S. President George W. Bush.

Singing for Presidents

Some of the events where Ronan Tynan performed for President George W. Bush include:

• The state funeral for former President Ronald Reagan.
• The 80th birthday celebration for former President George H. W. Bush.
• A prayer service for President George W. Bush's second inauguration.
• A Saint Patrick's Day party with President Bush and the Irish leader, Bertie Ahern.
• The 2008 President's Dinner.
• The state funeral for former President George H. W. Bush.

Other Special Performances

Tynan performs at a USO show at Aviano Air Base, Italy, December 2007

Ronan Tynan is well-known for singing "God Bless America" at sports events. He often sang at Yankee Stadium for the New York Yankees baseball games. This included Opening Day, nationally televised games, and the very last game at the old Yankee Stadium. He also sang before games for the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres. One memorable performance was at the 2008 NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2008. He sang for 71,217 fans!

In 2004, he sang "Theme from New York, New York" at the Belmont Stakes horse race. A few days later, he sang at the Washington National Cathedral for former President Ronald Reagan's state funeral. There, he performed "Amazing Grace" and Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria".

Ronan Tynan sang for former President George H. W. Bush at his home in Houston. This was on November 30, 2018, the day President Bush passed away. Ronan sang "Silent Night" and a Gaelic song. A friend of President Bush, James Baker, said that the President was quietly mouthing the words to "Silent Night" as Ronan sang.

See also

In Spanish: Ronan Tynan para niños