This Clare beef farmer had to sell his stock because of a heart condition. But after a transplant, he has built up his herd again
Michael Ryan, who has plans to return to the 800 cattle a year he was finishing before he had to stop, recalls his remarkable journey
Michael Ryan with his wife Patricia and daughter Cliodhna at their farm in Ballysheen, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. Photos: Natasha Barton
Michael Ryan was the only man to leave Croke Park early on September 8, 2013. As Clare and Cork fought to a historic draw in the All-Ireland hurling final, Michael and his wife Patricia were slowly, calmly making their way out of Drumcondra.
With a long history of heart trouble, Michael had recently been given an implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD). The device monitored the Sixmilebridge man’s heart, and when it detected an irregular beat, it would administer an electric shock.
