New Motel Opens in Boorowa

Open for just two weeks, the Ned Ryan Motel on 14 Marsden Street is causing quite a stir.

Boasting 20 studio rooms, two of which are accessible for those with disability, this new kid on the block offers modern accommodation in historic Boorowa.

The motel is named after Edward (Ned) Ryan, one of the original white settlers in the Boorowa district.

Indeed, one of Ned’s great, great, great great nephews, Jack Ryan, is one of four shareholders in the Ned Ryan Motel.

Ned Ryan was originally from County Tipperary in Ireland and was sent to Australia as a convict in 1816 for his part in the 1815 attack on the barracks in Ballagh.

Upon his arrival in Australia, Ned was assigned to James Meehan who was then based in Liverpool, Sydney.

After serving his sentence of 14 years without incident, Ned was granted his ticket of leave.

Together with his cousin and fellow convict Roger Corcoran, Ned made his way west to the Boorowa-Galong area in 1825.

As early as 1832, Ryan was granted convict labourers, and by all accounts he was a good master:

“Edward Ryan was given convicts … He was a most humane man. There were no punishments at Galong – a most extraordinary and remarkable thing for that time. The convicts would do anything for him: they loved him and he treated them as well as he was able” (extract from a letter by Susannah Therese Eyre in 1956 who spent time with Anastasia Barry Ryan).

Galong was the just beginning of Ned’s land claims. He soon spread west to Cootamundra, northwest towards Temora, and north of Galong to land touching the Boorowa River.

Ned was renowned for his hospitality. In a time where accommodation was scarce, anyone who called in at Galong was assured of bed and board. It is said that because as many as 50 to 60 swaggies might call in a day, Ned employed a butcher to cater for culinary needs and also erected huts for them on his property.

Jack Ryan hopes that the Ned Ryan Motel will continue to provide great hospitality to visitors, be they workers at the windfarms, participants in the upcoming Boorowa Show, and families and grey nomads just passing through.

You can learn more about the Ned Ryan Motel by going to: The Ned Ryan or by calling (02) 5300 1810.

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