One of Ireland's richest and most successful entrepreneurs Tony Ryan, founder of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) and co-founder of Ryanair, has died, aged 71.
A family statement said he died at 3pm at home in Lyons Demesne, Celbridge, Co Kildare after a long illnesss.
"Our beloved Tony bore his illness with determined strength of character and great courage. We are thankful to the many medical and nursing professionals for their wonderful care and kindness in hospitals in Ireland and the United States," the statement said.
"We are proud of Tony's many achievements, of his spirit of entrepreneurship which created enterprise and opportunity for many people in this country and abroad and, most especially, we are proud to have been his loving and loved family."
Born in Co Tipperary, he founded aircraft leasing firm GPA in 1975 and co-founded Ryanair in 1985.
The son of a railwayman, Mr Ryan joined Aer Lingus as a dispatch clerk, working his way up to leasing manager before founding his own leasing company GPA.
The company became an enormous success with revenues reaching €4 billion but the flotation of the company on the stock market proved a disaster as confidence in the sector dipped because of the 1991 Gulf War.
The company's ambitious expansion plans left it with massive debts but the company was restructured with outside investors taking control.
Mr Ryan set up Ryanair 23 years ago along with his sons Cathal and Declan and Liam Lonergan of Club Travel.
The firm grew from operating a 14-seat plane on a Waterford to Gatwick route to becoming one of Europe's largest airlines and most recognisable brands.
He has held senior management positions with Aer Lingus in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mr Ryan's family fortune has previously been estimated at more than of €1.2 billion. He had homes in Monaco and Kildare.
His passions included vineyards and stud farms.