Topic: Ronan Tynan

Ronan Tynan (born May 14, 1960) is a singer in the classical Irish style. He is most famous for his renditions of "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium during important New York Yankees games, such as Opening Day, nationally-televised games, the last game at the old Yankee Stadium, and playoff games. Additionally he occasionally sings for the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres and before 71,217 fans at the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic along with Sabres anthem singer Doug Allen, who performed the Canadian national anthem, on January 1, 2008, when the Sabres played the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is also known for participating in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympics.

Tynan was a member of the Irish Tenors until he left to pursue his solo career in May 2004. In this same year, he sang "New York , New York" at Belmont Stakes and less than a week later he was at the Washington National Cathedral for former United States President Ronald Reagan's state funeral, where he sang "Amazing Grace" and Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria".

Tynan was born in Dublin, Ireland. Born with lower limb disabilities, Tynan elected to have both legs amputated at the age of 20 due to complications caused by a car accident. Within weeks of the accident, he was climbing stairs at his college dormitory on artificial legs. Within a year, Tynan was winning in the international competitions in track and field athletics. He represented Ireland in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympics, winning a total of four golds, two silvers, and one bronze medal. Between 1981 and 1984, he amassed eighteen gold medals from various competitions and fourteen world records.