User:Ryanmcconville

Ryan McConville Born 30th January 1983 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Growing up in an era of change in troubled Northern Ireland, Ryan had a 'normal' Irish Catholic family background originating in Portadown in north Armagh. Going to Primary school on the now famous Garvaghy Road, the scene of much trouble between local Catholics and the Loyal Orange Order, Ryan was always an outsider. In a time when relationships between Protestants and Catholics were frowned upon, rare and relatively unknown Ryan formed a strong friendship with Ian Summerville. On growing up in a predominantly Protestant estate in Portadown, Ryan says "At that time i was relatively unaware of the conflict between the religious and extremist terrorist groups. I based my relationships on simply wether i thought someone was honest and like-able rather than where they went to praise God!" Though he and his sister, Erin, were unaware at the time his parents Deneen and Brendan were being intimidated in the estate and finally decided to move to the predominantly Catholic town of Lurgan. Passing his 11+ exams at the age of 11 allowed Ryan entry into St. Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh City. Moving to Lurgan proved a boon for Ryan residing in a friendlier atmosphere allowed him to make many friends both in school and at home. Proceeding relatively quietly through school gaining good grades along the way allowed Ryan to eventually attain a place in the University of Ulster, where he studied for a BSc Radiography. Four years of studying and partying in not always equal doses allowed him to become a qualified Allied Health Professional, as well as an ever improving and popular guitarist on the house party scene. Ryan is currently employed by the NHS in Belfast.