Catholic. Death of Father M.H. Ryan, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 19 November 1887, p 14, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115449475:

Father Michael Harrington Ryan closed a long and useful career on Saturday, last his period of service in Australia extending almost over 40 years. Born in West Meath, Ireland, Father Ryan studied at All Hallows', intending to devote himself to the Austalian mission, and arriving here when about 25 years old, he was ordained priest by the saintly Archbishop Polding. For some little time after his ordination Father Ryan was connected with old St. Mary's Cathedral, but he was soon appointed to a more difficult and trying field of labour in the penal settlements of Norfolk Island and Tasmania. For ten years the good priest laboured heroically among the poor prisoners, and during the whole of that time he saw a brother priest only twice. Obtaining leave, he left Tasmania and proceeded to Rome, after which he went to England and accepted an appointment under the famous Cardinal Wiseman in London. While in London Father Ryan built a church and two schools, and the warm friendship which was then formed between himself and Canon Johnstone (now private secretary to Cardinal Manning) was continued when Father Ryan returned to Australia later on. On returning from England he undertook the charge of the Grafton mission, and afterwards in the Maitland diocese he zealously worked in Newcastle, at one time performing the duties of Vicar-General to Bishop Murray. Father Ryan, it is understood, devoted a great deal of his private means to Church purposes in the Maitland diocese. About nine years ago Father Ryan came to Sydney at the request of the late Archbishop Vaughan, and for five years he was head priest at St. Mary's Cathedral. From St. Mary's he was appointed to the Appin mission, and this about four years ago, when his health was beginning to fail. He changed from Appin to Camden, and finally shared the labours in connection with the parish of Leichhardt near the city with his nephew, Father P. M. Ryan. His last appointment to Leichhardt was intended as a rest for him, but he persisted in doing work, and died literally "in harness" at the fine old age of 66. The Very Rev. Dr. Sheridan, who forty years ago came out with him to Australia in the same ship, the Very Rev. P. Le Rennetel, S.M., Dean Hanley, and several of the Marist Fathers were most assiduous in their visits and attention to him during his illness. His remains were interred in the Catholic portion of the cemetery at Rookwood, on Sunday last, in the presence of a large gathering of priests and people. On Monday morning a Requiem High Mass, preceded by a solemn dirge, was offered up in St. Fiacre's Church, Leichhardt, for the repose of his soul. The Cardinal-Archbishop presided, and sixty priests assisted in the solemnities. His Lordship Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland, was also present. Dr. Sheridan being the oldest friend of the deceased in the colony, was to have celebrated the Requiem Mass, but at the last moment the sad office was allotted to Father P. M. Ryan, Father J. P. Fitzpatrick being the deacon, and Father Collingridge the sub-deacon. The service at the grave on Sunday, we may remark, was read by the Very Rev. Dr. Carroll, V.G. Requiescat in pace.

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T.W. Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005:
Ryan, Michael Harrington

Born at Castle Geoghogan, Co West Meath, Ireland in 1822 he studied at All Hallows for the Australian mission 1843-1847. He was ordained priest in Sydney by Archbishop Polding on 7 May 1848. Originally attached to St Mary's cathedral, he then spent ten years as prison chaplain to Norfolk Island and also was in Tasmania for the same work. He returned to England, accepted an appointment under Cardinal Wiseman in London, but then returned to Sydney. He was appointed to Grafton in 1870, and was based there in November 1873 when he attended the first synod of the Diocese of Armidale in Armidale. He next transferred to the Maitland diocese where he worked in Newcastle for several years, being at one time Vicar General to Bishop Murray. He reputedly spent a great deal of his personal wealth for church purposes while in the diocese. He then returned to Sydney at Archbishop Vaughan's request, and for five years was at St Mary's cathedral. Appointments to Appin, Camden, and finally Leichhardt followed. His last appointment, at Leichhardt, was with his nephew Fr PM Ryan. He died on 12 November 1887, and was buried at Rookwood cemetery.
(Sources: FJ 19 Nov 1887 p 14, 13 May 1937 p 36, Campbell, Farrell, MDHC A-Z R92).

(Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.)