SIX Ryan family relatives from Ireland will fly to Australia for the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Ryan family down under.

The reunion is expected to attract 500 descendants to the polocrosse clubhouse at Morgan Park on October 11.

Three brothers and one sister, Thomas, Honoria, Denis and Michael Ryan, migrated from Ireland to Queensland in 1864 and then five nieces and one nephew followed in the years up to 1906.

The organising committee had its sixth meeting at Morgan Park at the weekend and one member was heard to say "we are as old as the Daily News" referring to the 150th anniversary of the newspaper.

The Ryans who came to Australia between 1864 and 1875 were four of the 12 children of Thomas and Ellen Ryan, of Limerick.

Thomas was the first and arrived in Australia on the ship Queen of the Colonies on September 24, 1864. He married in Warwick two years later. There are 3000 descendants of the Ryans of Limerick in Australia.

The family held a reunion at Allora in 2000 when a book edited by John Ryan was launched. A second reunion was held at St Mary's Hall, Warwick, in 2006.

The 2000 family history is being reprinted and a new book on the family will be launched on the day.

Reunion committee chairman Darryl Baker said the visitors from Ireland would be shown the original family homestead which still stood at Clintonvale.

"The reunion could not be held without a major team effort and expertise in various areas," he said.

The October 11 celebrations will start with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Ryan family friend Fr Brian Sparksman at Morgan Park followed by a barbecue lunch provided by the Lions Club.

Acceptances for the reunion can be sent to Denise Stark, 5 Jenna Court, Toowoomba, Qld, 4350, phone 4636 4145 or email mary.wagner@wagner.com.au.