The McGarry Family
The McGarry family is proving that a big household, a thriving tech business, and a “mini farm” can coexist beautifully. Thomas and Ryan McGarry, along with their five children—Marie Rosa, Mila Carmen, Manny Joseph, Maslin Arlo, and Madilyn Sophia—made the leap from the fast-paced energy of Washington, D.C., to the Lowcountry in early 2020. Trading the rigid structure of city life for the salt air and freedom of the coast was a move Ryan describes as “fine-tuning our world,” a quest for a slower pace and a more intentional way of raising their family. After spending a few years getting their bearings in Carolina Park, they settled into the charm of Old Village in early 2024. “What drew me in were the tree-lined streets and the neighborhood’s effortless, natural charm—it doesn’t try, and it isn’t cookie-cutter. Add the sound of cargo ships moving through the harbor, and you truly cannot beat the sunset views from the Pitt Street Bridge. It’s a very homey neighborhood,” reflects Ryan.
The McGarry household is a vibrant tapestry of international roots and high-level expertise. Tom, born in Angola and raised everywhere from Pittsburgh to Portugal, is a true Renaissance man. A polyglot who speaks three languages, he is as comfortable playing the bagpipes or piano as he is navigating complex data systems. With an educational pedigree spanning UVA, Johns Hopkins, and MIT, Tom serves as a CTO and data engineering expert.
Ryan, a Coastal Carolina University alumna, is the organizational engine that keeps the family’s gears turning. A self-described “Type A” juggling act, she balances the schedules of five active kids with coaching local soccer and launching the family's new business, Kuadro.ai. The couple originally met at a digital agency in D.C., where Tom led the tech team and Ryan ran operations, a partnership that has now come full circle as they help mid-size organizations navigate digital transformation together.
The five McGarry children bring a unique energy to the neighborhood, each with their own distinct “role” in the family dynamic. Marie (17) is the resident musician—she was the lead drummer at her high school marching band back in DC and is now a singer and drummer in a band that plays shows all over the DC area (and beyond). Mila, the eleven-year-old entrepreneur, attends Moultrie and balances competitive soccer with her own soap-making business, Bloom and Bubbles. Manny (9), who attends MPA, is the family’s dedicated sports enthusiast. He lives for all sports, specifically soccer (go surf!) and football. Five-year-old Maslin, in kindergarten at MPA, has earned the title of "project manager" for her uncanny ability to keep everyone on task. Little Madilyn, who turned four in December, is affectionately known as the boss of the bunch.
This lively crew is rounded out by a mini-farm that includes Deets, a mini Australian Shepherd, two bunnies, and five chickens. Deets is a people-lover, many on the family’s street know him well as he has a way of quietly sliding out of the gate if one of the kids leaves it opened, as kids tend to do. Tom built a chicken coop for their chickens—Hootie & Tootie, the frizzle easter eggers, Bluey their fluffy headed blue silkie, Lellow another easter egger, and Jet, the Ameraucana. Each has their own personality, and they keep the family busy, lining up at the sliding glass door and begging for whatever scraps they can spare. Chickens were never part of the plan until Ryan’s sister in Pawleys started raising them, and suddenly Mazzy decided he wanted to be a self-proclaimed “Chicken Daddy” for his fifth birthday. Tom and Ryan caved—and thanks to chicken math, here they are today. These hens also serve as the inspiration for Ryan’s upcoming children’s book series, Charleston Chickens, featuring the chicks as they adventure through Charleston.
When it comes to the holidays, the McGarrys lean into the chaos and magic with open arms. They get incredibly festive for every single occasion—a necessity when living with five enthusiastic children. These celebrations are deeply rooted in Ryan’s upbringing, carrying on the heartfelt traditions her parents established while raising a large family and foster babies. During these special times, the family’s roles are clear: Tom takes command of the kitchen to prepare elaborate holiday meals, while Ryan transforms the house with decorations and attempts the Herculean task of coordinating everyone’s outfits, or at least as coordinated as five independent-minded kids will allow.
Beyond their life in the Lowcountry, the McGarrys are avid explorers who feel fortunate to have seen many places together as a family. From cross-country RV road trips to trekking through Iceland, Norway, and across Western Europe, the family has a serious travel bug. They have found that their children truly thrive in new environments, a realization that hit home after spending six weeks in Portugal last summer. During that stay, the kids were immersed in an international school, an experience so successful that the family is now exploring the possibility of a future gap year. For Tom and Ryan, these journeys are about more than just sightseeing; they are about fostering perspective and curiosity, showing their children that there are countless ways to live a good life. Portugal is especially meaningful to Tom, which made it a natural place for the McGarrys to land for an extended stay. However, the family remains rooted in the belief that no matter how far they roam, “Old Village will always be home,” shares Ryan.
Life in Old Village has offered the McGarrys the “simple life” they craved. They adore the July 4th parade and Halloween festivities in the neighborhood. They spend their downtime golf carting to the “crabbies”—the local marsh-end streets where the kids chase crabs as the sun sets—or enjoying local favorites like Sunsets, Tys, the Pitt Street Pharmacy, the Wine Shop, and Shelter for Tom's Steelers football.
For a family that previously lived under strict HOAs, the freedom of Old Village feels like a breath of fresh air. Ryan loves watching the kids get dismissed from school and knowing almost all students live right here within walking or biking distance. “It's the sense of community and closeness that makes this place so special.” In this tight-knit community, the McGarrys have found their rhythm, embracing a life that is busy, full, and exactly where they are meant to be.