February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
“After getting up at 4am in the morning for the past 17 years, it’s a welcome change,” said Ryan in an interview with the Echo.
“I still won’t be getting up too late though, as I have a seven-year-old daughter in the house!”
Ryan has been head of the Channel Five morning news team since its first broadcast in August 1988.
“Everything has to come to an end,” he said.
“After 17 years, it was time for a change.”
The veteran newscaster plans to take advantage of his free time, spending more time with his three children and four grandchildren. He plans to spend the Summer in his house on Fire Island, but not before visiting Ireland for a two-week holiday in June.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Ryan, whose mother and father are from Mayo and Cork respectively.
“I have an uncle and a bunch of cousins in Dublin that I’m going to visit. My wife is from Galway, so we’ll also pay a visit there.”
Ryan has worked in the media for almost 30 years, starting out with Associated Press, before working for the Daily news and Channel Four. However, he has no plans to retire yet.
“After the summer, its back to work,” he said.
“I thought about writing a novel, I’ve no plans yet.”
Throughout his time with Channel Five, Ryan has become one of the best-known faces of television news.
“I was very gratified by the response to my last show – after the program, I came in and there were over 100 emails on my account wishing me well. The station said they were flooded with calls,” he said.
“It’s very moving to think that you’ve made some impression on people over the years. It makes me think that maybe I did some good after all.”