Ronan trained as a sculptor for six years both in the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and the United States. He then worked full-time as an artist for almost eight years before his work altered to include the furniture, lighting and jewellery.

"I believe that my work has become more accessible recently both in scale and in imagery. Part of this desire for accessibility has driven me to look at other forms of expressing creativity and this has led me to the realms of ornament."

Hillary Clinton, Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney and former Taoiseach John Bruton all own pieces of his work. In 1990, he was chosen to represent Ireland in an International Exhibit of Small Sculpture in Budapest. He has had many exhibitions of his sculptures and drawings both nationally and internationally since 1979 and in 1984 Guinness Peat Aviation awarded him a bursary.

"In retrospect I can see how that trip has had a great bearing on me. The landscape, the people, the culture, the harsh environment and the indigenous art- have all influenced the way my work has changed. The journey I took through Africa is being continued through my work in my explorations of the place I now inhabit."

In August 1998 Ronan moved with his family to Achill Island where he had been a regular visitor since childhood.

"I have always wanted to live here. I am passionate about surfing and this was a large factor in the move.

In the winter, there is no better surf in the world!"

"I see my work as an amalgam of many traditions and cultures from the primitive of West Africa to the delicate intricacies of the Celts."

Ronan uses steel, brass and glass in his work. Most of his materials have to be transported from Dublin, one of the disadvantages of living in a remote location. He mainly uses oxy/acetylene for his welding. His wife, Amanda, is a painter and has collaborated on some of the furniture pieces.

“I taught myself to weld and do most of the work. It has been a long and arduous process and I am still a long way off but for the foreseeable future I am very happy to live in such a beautiful place as this, do my work and raise my family."