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Michael Rynne

   
(Left) Michael Rynne. See full size.
(Right) Nathalie Fournier. See full size.
Passport photos for passports issued 1955.

Michael Rynne,
Dr. Michael Andrew Lysaght Rynne, Doctor of Law,
born 12 Sept 1899.
He is not listed with mother at Strand House in census 1911, must be at boarding school.
He was educ Clongowes Wood College 1912-1917.
He wrote on 18 Oct 1913 to his mother from Clongowes.
He was educ UCD, went up 1917.
He joined the IRA 1917.
He was an extra in Jim Sullivan's film Knocknagow (shot 1917, released 1918).
Over his life he published many writings in newspapers and magazines under the name "Andrew Lysaght". He wrote articles, letters, poems, stories, radio plays and marching songs. Collection in P133/4/2, starting on 22 Sept 1917 (him age 18).
See letter of 17 Oct 1918 addressed to him at Strand House. Forwarded to his aunt's house, 43 Pembroke Road, Dublin. He must have been staying with his aunt and uncle while at UCD.
On 5 Dec 1918, Fr. David Humphrys published a letter in the Irish Independent extremely hostile to Sinn Fein. Michael ("Micheal Ua Rinne"), from UCD, age 19, replied in a letter in the Irish Independent, 6 Dec 1918. He defends Sinn Fein and attacks the Irish Parliamentary Party.

The 1919-1923 period: Michael was an IRA officer in War of Independence 1919-1921. 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 was Captain in Free State army in Civil War 1922-23. He was acting Colonel at one time. He was on the opposite side to the Republican Emmet Humphreys in Battle of Dublin, June 1922. Emmet in [Mac Eoin, 1980] recalls how his sister Sighle said Michael fighting for the Free State "had finally killed any special regard she had for him". Michael retired from Army 1923. See his Active Service Medal (and label). This is often called the Black and Tan medal (confusingly for those who fought against the Black and Tans).

He qualified as a barrister in Dublin, possibly 1926.
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 3 Sept 1931 to Nathalie Fournier [born 30 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. Children called Michael "Dadan" and Nathalie "Dadeen".

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 1955. 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.

Irish Ambassador to Spain:
He was Irish Ambassador to Spain 1955-1961 [DIB]. At this time Spain was under Franco.
He was appointed Ambassador by Second Inter-Party Government (1954-57). Minister for External Affairs in 1954-57 was Liam Cosgrave.
Letter of 11 Feb 1955 congratulates him on becoming Ambassador. [Ó Muircheartaigh, 2000] says he was installed on 29 May 1955.
As at 1957 the Irish embassy was at 53 Calle de Goya, Madrid. (Corner of Calle de Castello. See map and street view.)
The Irish Ambassador's residence was a few blocks North at 78 Calle de Castello. (Still the Irish Ambassador's residence today. See map and street view.) Michael writes a letter on 19 Oct 1957 from 78 Calle de Castello. Letter in P133/4/24.
While in Spain he kept a house at 114 Pembroke Rd, Dublin.

He retired from the civil service in 1961 and moved from Spain back to Ireland.
They settled in Sydenham House, Dundrum.
He is listed at Sydenham House in [Thom's] from 1965 to death.
He died 8 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:

1. Michael Rynne.

   
   

2. Etienne Rynne.

   
   

3. Nathalie Rynne,
   mar Jim Newman and had issue.

   
   

4. Christopher Rynne, mar Juany Garmendia and had issue:
   1. Chris José Rynne.
   2. Fernando Rynne, mar Valerie Domenici and had issue:
      1. Olivier Rynne.
      2. Adrian Rynne.
   3. Peter Rynne.
   4. Kevin Rynne, mar Marie Pieroni and had issue:
      1. Deborah Rynne.

   
   

5. Paddy Rynne, mar Ann Jones and had issue:
   1. Michael Rynne.
   2. Patrick Rynne.

   3. Nathalie Rynne,
      DNA match to me and John Lavelle and Malachi Spain and Donal Duggan and Nuala Duggan and Niall Humphreys.

   
   

6. Cormac Rynne, mar Mary Heron and had issue:
   1. Brian Rynne.
   2. Ciaran Rynne.
   3. Daniel Rynne.
   4. Cormac Rynne.

Michael Rynne writes on 18 Oct 1913 to his mother from Clongowes.
He draws a cartoon of John Redmond speaking at a rally.
His mother stands beside Mrs. Redmond holding a "Home Rule" sign.
See larger and full size.

Michael Rynne, Easter 1919 (age 19).
From this picture.

Captain Michael Rynne, Free State army.
From p.257 of The Clongownian, June 1922, vol ix no 3. And note on p.255. From P133/4.
See larger and full size.

Michael Rynne qualifying as a barrister in Dublin, possibly 1926.
See larger and full size. See back. From P133/4/15.

Michael Rynne shaking hands with Franco, having presented his credentials as Irish Ambassador to Spain, 1955.
See larger and full size.
See also photo of him in Spanish ceremonial coach (and back). The date 1951 is wrong.

Grave of Michael Rynne and Nathalie Fournier.
Drumcliff Cemetery, Ennis, Co.Clare.
Photo 2008. From Clare County Library.

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Sources yet to be consulted

• RYNNE, MICHAEL ANDREW LYSAGHT in [DIB]
• Rough notes on life of Michael Rynne, by Etienne Rynne. See p.1 and p.2. From P133/4/23.

• Item with anecdote about Michael Rynne, Cork Examiner, possibly 9 Dec 1954.
• Michael Rynne in Who's Who section in [Thom's, 1958].
• Obituary of Michael Rynne. Irish Times, 9 Feb 1981.
• Other obituary of Michael Rynne, Feb 1981. See part 1 and part 2 and part 3.

• Letter about Michael Rynne by J.P. Duggan, Irish Times, 29 Oct 1996.
• Reply by Etienne Rynne, Irish Times, 13 Nov 1996.
• "An Ennis Ambassador". Entry for 29 May 1955. The Chronicle of Clare 1900-2000 by Joe Ó Muircheartaigh, 2000.

• Between Two Hells: The Irish Civil War by Diarmaid Ferriter (2021).
  • See Michael Rynne in index and notes.

• Article in Connacht Tribune, 11 Feb 2022.