Irish tenor makes history in NY
Ronan Tynan, the Irish tenor who sang at numerous memorial services after the September 11 attacks, made history yesterday by becoming the first person to perform in the New York state Senate chamber.
Tynan, dressed in a dark grey suit, loosened his tie a bit, drew a deep breath and belted out his booming acappella rendition of God Bless America before a roomful of senators, aides and reporters.
Members of the Senate unanimously approved a resolution honouring Tynan “for uplifting the spirits of all New Yorkers and Americans in the aftermath of September 11.”
“This is probably one of the finest moments in my life,” Tynan said before his performance.
Tynan’s rendition of God Bless America was first heard in memorial ceremonies for victims, including fallen firefighters, throughout New York City in 2001.
Tynan was born in Dublin, Ireland, with a lower leg disability that eventually led to both legs being amputated below the knee when he was 20.
He became the first disabled person to be admitted to the National College of Physical Education in Ireland and graduated from Trinity College in Dublin with a speciality in orthopaedic sports injuries in 1993.
That same year, Tynan began his formal musical studies and later made his professional debut at a concert hall in Dublin.
Tynan joined the Irish Tenors in 1998 and performed with them three public television specials across the US and is the author of Halfway Home: My Life ’til Now.
“He truly has a gift, a voice filled with such sincerity and emotion that his sounds instantly warm your soul,” Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said.
Bruno said Tynan was the first singer to ever perform in the Senate during a session in the chamber.
