Ryan’s great Round Ireland adventure

David Ryan is more accustomed to ploughing the land than sailing around the coast, but the farmer plans to compete in — and win — the Round Ireland Yacht Race.

David Ryan is a man of the land, but today he answers the call of the sea.

Ryan has operated a dry stock and tillage farm outside of Wicklow Town for the best part of 30 years, ever since he moved to the area from Kildare. For the majority of that time, the Irish Sea has been little more than an unknown grey mass four miles distant. A recreation area for his three kids on a fine summer’s day, maybe, but little more.