| Honorific-Prefix: | The Very Reverend |
| Laurence Ryan | |
| Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin | |
| Church: | Catholic Church |
| Diocese: | Kildare and Leighlin |
| Appointed: | 17 July 1984 |
| Term Start: | 10 December 1987 |
| Term End: | 4 June 2002 |
| Ordination: | 17 June 1956 |
| Consecration: | 9 September 1984 |
| Consecrated By: | Patrick Lennon |
| Birth Date: | 13 May 1931 |
| Birth Place: | St Mullin's, County Carlow, Ireland |
| Death Date: | 13 October 2003 (aged 72) |
| Death Place: | Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland |
| Education: | Maynooth College |
Laurence Ryan was an Irish priest, theologian and Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.
Laurence Ryan was born in 1931, to Michael and Brigid Ryan of Ballycrinnigan, St Mullin's, County Carlow.[1]
He was educated locally and at St. Mary's Knockbeg College; he went to Maynooth College to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1956 and following postgraduate studies awarded a doctorate in 1958; subsequently he was appointed to the staff of the St. Patrick's College, Carlow. He studied in Germany for a year gaining a Doctorate in Theology.
He served as President of Carlow College from 1974 to 1980,[2] and was appointed in 1975 Vicar General for the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.
Leaving Carlow College, Ryan served as parish priest of Naas, County Kildare, from 1980 to 1985.[3] He was award the title of Monsignor.
Ryan was appointed coadjutor bishop in 1984 and became Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin on 10 December 1987, succeeding Bishop Lennon. Bishop Ryan resigned 4 June 2002 and retired.
During his time at Carlow Cathedral, he presided over some changes to the altar which were controversial.[4]
Ryan died on 13 October 2003, in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.[5] [6]