Irish Olympian with Laois roots takes his final dive

Triple Irish Olympian Shane Ryan whose father hails from Portarlington has announcement from competitive swimming.

The native of Pennsylvania, Shane competed at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympics.

He won medals for Ireland internationally and has set Irish records.

Ryan qualified to represent Ireland through his father, Thomas who emigrated from  Portarlington in the 1980s.

Shane still has relatives in Laois. The wecomed him home from Rio in 2016. 

The swimmer announced he was hanging up his goggles on Sunday, October 5.

"After years of representing Ireland and USA on the world stage and dedicating my life to the sport I love, I’ve made the decision to step away from competitive swimming.

"This sport has given me more than I could have ever imagined — the honor of wearing the green, the thrill of competing at 3 Olympic Games, and the lifelong friendships forged through countless hours in the pool and on the road. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished, not just in medals or records, but in the journey itself.

"From my first strokes to standing on international podiums, it’s been a ride filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. I want to thank my coaches, teammates, Swim Ireland, USA Swimming, my family, and everyone who supported me through the years. Your belief in me pushed me forward every single day.

"Though I’m stepping away from competition, my love for the sport remains as strong as ever — and I look forward to giving back in new ways, mentoring the next generation and staying involved in the swimming community.

"Thank you for following my journey. I’ll forever be proud to have called myself an Irish Olympian.

"Much love," concluded the statement.