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MICHAEL JOHN RYAN wants people to know that running a family business is not an easy job – and he should know, he’s been working in one since the age of 11.
“There is a lot of work involved, you put a lot of hours into a business that people don’t see,” he said.
“It is not just opening the door at half 9 or 10 o’clock then closing when it’s over. The thing is to enjoy it really – to have fun in the business.”
Ryan recently took over the iconic business his parents Danny and Helen founded, the Danny Ryan Music Shop in Tipperary Town, when they retired after 43 years at the helm.
“It has probably been on the cards for a long time. My father is very active – it was just up to him when he wanted to retire. He’s 78 now.”
Ryan, who is also a violinist, said he had spent most of his life in the store and had first started doing “odd jobs” in the store on Saturdays when he was still in primary school.
The students that my father has taught are bringing in their kids for lessons. They’re buying instruments and getting lessons, they have fond memories about their times here.”
‘Ups and downs’ in family business
The Tipperary shop is one of the estimated three-quarters of all businesses in Ireland that are family-owned, a sector which delivers about half of all jobs in private industry.
Ryan said over the years the store had its “ups and downs” as the economy fluctuated and as taxes on music instruments hit up to 35% – but 2014 was still a good year to be in the business.
At the moment it is a good time for the music business because people have gone back to more traditional values and they are valuing the benefits of learning an instrument as opposed to playing video games,” he said.
Online equipment sales, often to overseas retailers, had taken a slice out of the trade, but Ryan said the store had carved a niche because it carefully picked its products – and then stood behind them.
“That’s why we are in business for 43 years – because people trust us, they know our name,” he said.
Ryan said he hoped one day to hand the business over to the third generation, one of his children who are currently aged 7 and 9, although he “would never force them or anything”.
All this year, TheJournal.ie has featured stories about – and for – the key Irish small- and medium-enterprise (SME) sector. To browse this collection click here
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Loss of an immense talent with both of them. He was the finest of his generation and had the ability to draw you into any film he starred in. Played a great role in Unforgiven…RIP to them both.
@Tony Skillington: Mississipi Burning,The French Connection,more recently The Jury.
The man was class, RIP to them both.
@martin lawlor: arguing with Denzel Washington in Crimson Tide. Superb acting
@Dr Albert S Meinheimer: Great acting by Hackman and Washington in that film. Edge of the seat stuff.
@martin lawlor: agree…Mississipi Burning one of the best films made.
@Tony Skillington: Think I will watch that tonight… Excellent Movie, haven’t see in years..
Thanks RIP…
@Tony Skillington: I met him twice in Glorieta ( civil war trail ) and Tesuque Pueblo in New Mexico while I was working there. Down to earth with his uneque smile.
RIP Gene and your beautiful wife.
Ah no very sad news to here. R.I.P the both of them.
The firm was a class film Hackman was in. Whatever character he played, he played it well R.I.P Gene
R.I.P. to a wonderfully talented man. However he & his wife passed I hope it was without pain.
Sad news
A legendary actor with a name that backed it up. ‘Gene Hackman’, what a class name. A very sad situation. Rip..
@Andrew Kenny: Eugene Hackman doesn’t have the same ring to it
@Niall Boyle: It doesn’t Niall. Lol.
I still watch Superman every now and then to hear him rolling off line after line. Still makes me laugh.
Lex Luthor: [to Otis] You were followed again.
[Otis spins around, knocking over a lamp]
Lex Luthor: …in spite of those catlike reflexes.
Huge talent,how very sad may they rest in peace.
Legendry actor from The French Connection to Young Frankenstein. RIP
@RIP: Gene Wilder was in Young Frankenstein, not Gene Hackman.
@John Fagan: they both were.
@John Fagan: he offered to do a cameo just to play any part in the film such was his enthusiasm for it…he was written into the film as Harold the blind man
@John Fagan: he was the blind guy serving soup
@John Fagan: How can you get 20 thumbs up when you’re wrong?
@John Fagan: Wrong. He played the blind monk/hermit. Very funny scene
@Eamon: you must be new here
@RIP: “I’m making cappuccinos!”.
@Eamon: 39 last count. They keep doing it
@John Fagan:I never copped that and watched it many times.
“Walk this way.”
First seen him in Bonnie and Clyde from then he was one of the greatest actors to many great films to mention.R. I . P.
French Connection, Mississippi Burning two of of my favourites RIP
@Eddienowy Byrne: For me – Mississippi Burning & Enemy Of The State. May they both rest in peace
@Eddienowy Byrne: me too. RIP.
The poor dog, very sad
@Cormo R: No sympathy for the humans then?
@biggybald: it seems the adult humans for whatever reasons made the decision for themselves!! The dog most likely didn’t!!
@leon nirwri: they decided to die of carbon monoxide poisoning?
@biggybald: None whatsoever
@Cormo R:
Sad .
He was a talented actor.
It’s all very strange.
Two people died for no reason,then the dog who was outside also died.
They don’t believe foul play was involved?
2 adults and a dog at the same time?????
We’ve seen this before
@Keego:
Oh shut up
@Keego: you better get on the blower to the nwpd there keego, I’m sure they’ll need your assistance.
@Keego: nothing has been established yet for goodness sake….ever hear of carbon monoxide poisoning for example, it doesn’t just affect humans….it could be any number of things that caused this so keep your unfounded conspiracy theories to yourself…better to be keep ones mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt
@Keego: he probably died of old age mad she didn’t want to go on. Possibility
@Keego: The fact the dog died too is in all likelihood gas related… ever heard of carbon monoxide?
@Dr Albert S Meinheimer: and didn’t want to go on
@Keego: Did you never hear of carbon monoxide poisoning? Or do you know something, we don’t ?
@Neasa Duffy: carbon monoxide poisoning was the first thing that came to my mind too. But whatever the cause, may they rest in peace.
@Keego: Carbon monoxide poisoning most likely.
One of the most talented actor of all time -
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched the French connection on DVD. Hackman became the characters he played. He never seemed to be acting. He was the person he was portraying.
He really played the comedy role great too he was brilliant in get shorty & the birdcage.
French connection and Mississippi Burning were my all time favourites of his, incredible talent, RIP Gene
RIP to them all.
May their gentle souls rest in peace.
Just watched him in narrow margin the other night with Anne archer great movie. Brilliant actor may he rest in peace
RIP
I never saw Hackman in a bad movie. RIP.
Didn’t deserve to die like that, not while he was building a house, with a porch….
@brian o’leary: oh shut up and show some respect.
@brian o’leary: Deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it.
One of his finest roles.
RIP
@Patty O’Furniture – Outside Dining Drag Queen: I’ll see you in hell, patty o’furniture….
@John Smith: ‘and we’re bound to come acoss somebody who’s see these….skunks…… (thunder)’ one of my favourite scenes, a real, ‘ o I’m sorry, did I break your concentrate ‘ moment.
A group checkout agreement I wonder
Very sad.
RIP Lex Luthor.
“I’ll have that 32 Bob” Little Bill in Unforgiven, just bossed every scene, truly magnificent actor in the English language, never will we see his likes again.
I really hope this wasn’t some suicide pact because that would be a very sad way to go. Hackman was some actor and it’s very sad that he’s now dead. Many evenings were spent by me glued in front of the television when I was younger watching his brilliant movies. The French Connection was the greatest crime movie ever made in my opinion and was exceptional from start to finish. Unforgiven, Scarecrow and Mississippi Burning were some of my other favourites that he starred in.
If it is what it looks like, I call that courageous, and owning your life to the last moment.
“Kiss my Irish a$$”, RIP.
Picking his feet in the great Pouhkeepsie in the sky
Ok Journal, if this is now an open case, how am I allowed to comment here but not on articles of other cases not in our jurisdiction, nor on articles that aren’t even cases? I get that it’s your decision but seems like it’s applied willie nillie
He was gay and he was blackmailed because of it
@JSH 1973: Really???
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