A look at the life of Dr Tony Ryan
1936: Born in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
1954: Joins Aer Lingus, rising through the ranks to become a middle manager.
1975: Sets up Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in Shannon, turning it into one of the world's biggest aircraft leasing and finance businesses.
1985: Co-founder of Ryanair. First flights operate from Waterford to Gatwick.
1988: Installs Michael O'Leary at Ryanair to help to turn the loss-making airline around.
1992: GPA stock market flotation is scrapped, sending shock waves through Irish financial circles.
1993: General Electric takes control of GPA and Ryan relinquishes chairmanship.
1996: Ryan cuts his ties with GPA.
1997: Ryanair floats on the stock market. That year, Ryan acquired the 600-acre Lyons Estate in Kildare and restored the property to its former glory.
2003: Tiger Airways in Singapore is founded with backing from Ryan and his family.
2006: Budget airline AeroBus is launched in Mexico with the backing of Ryan and his sons.
2007: Ryan dies at his estate near Celbridge, Co Kildare.