Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Michael Rynne,
The 1919-23 period:
He was an IRA officer in War of Independence 1919-21. He was Captain, C Company, 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade IRA. BA UCD 1920 [NUI, 1964]. He was educ King's Inns, BL think 1921. He was aide-de-camp (military personal assistant) to Dick Mulcahy (Chief of Staff of IRA in War of Independence). He did NOT describe himself as an "equerry". He was NOT aide-de-camp to Eamon de Valera. He was with Mulcahy and de Valera at his family's house, Strand House in Limerick, Dec 1921, as the Treaty was being signed in London.
He went pro-Treaty along with Mulcahy.
|
He
went to the Continent to study law.
Doctor of Law (LL.D.),
Doctor of International Law,
University of Munich.
His thesis was pub as book 1929.
See cover.
He
mar 3rd Sept 1931 to Nathalie Fournier
[born 30th Aug 1903, France,
passport says 1905].
She was dau of Léon Fournier, solicitor, of Ardes (also here), central France, by his 2nd wife Nathalie Rey. [Engagement notice, Irish Independent, 6 Aug 1931] says Léon Fournier is of Bouge-Chambalud, SE France, and of 1 rue du General Largeau, Paris (see map and street view). Nathalie Rey was dau of the French actor Etienne Rey [born 1848, ran "Le Petit Casino" theatre in Paris, died 1904]. Nathalie Fournier also has Bouviers in her family. There was a suggestion that these could be relations of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, but there was never any actual connection traced. |
Michael and Nathalie
lived in 1930s (temp 1931-34) with
his mother
at Airfield, Stillorgan Rd, Donnybrook.
Michael worked for Irish Ministry for External Affairs
1932 to 1954.
He was legal advisor to
Minister for External Affairs.
They
later lived St.John's, Kimmage Rd East, Terenure.
There as at
[Thom's, 1945].
There in 1949.
He
wrote many articles under the name "Andrew Lysaght".
He
wrote poems, radio plays, marching songs.
Irish Ambassador to Spain:
He was
Irish Ambassador to Spain
1954-61 (or 1955-62).
At this time Spain was under
Franco.
He was
appointed Ambassador in 1954 by
Second Inter-Party Government.
Minister for External Affairs was
Liam Cosgrave.
As at 1957 the Irish embassy was at 53 Calle de Goya, Madrid
(corner of Calle Castello,
see map).
Note that the Madrid Residence, 78 Calle de Castello,
Madrid,
was only purchased 1964.
While in Spain he kept a house at 114 Pembroke Rd, Dublin.
After he came back from Spain,
they
settled in
Sydenham House, Dundrum.
He is listed at Sydenham House in
[Thom's]
from 1965 to death.
He died 8th Feb 1981, St.Michaels Nursing Home, Dun Laoghaire,
age 81 yrs [GROI].
He was
bur
Drumcliff Cemetery,
Ennis, Co.Clare.
Rynnes are listed at Sydenham House, Dundrum, in
[Thom's]
up to 1988 edn.
Nathalie lived
Dundalk, Co.Louth.
She died Thur 29 Jan 1998, age 94 yrs.
Funeral Sat 31 Jan 1998,
bur
Drumcliff Cemetery,
Ennis, Co.Clare.
Michael and Nathalie
had issue:
Michael Rynne, Easter 1919 (age 19).
From
this picture.
Michael Rynne shaking hands with Franco,
having presented his credentials as Irish Ambassador to Spain, must be 1954.
See larger
and full size.
53 Calle de Goya, Madrid (location of Irish embassy in Rynne's time).
From
street view.
Grave of Michael Rynne and Nathalie Fournier.
Drumcliff Cemetery,
Ennis, Co.Clare.
Photo 2008.
From
Clare County Library.
Please donate to support this site.
I have spent a great deal of time and money on this research.
Research involves travel and many expenses.
Some research "things to do"
are not done for years, because I do not have the money to do them.
Please Donate Here
to support the ongoing research and
to keep this website free.