Background
Callanan was born in the village of Kilconnell, near Ballinasloe, County Galway, to a farming family.
Callanan was born in the village of Kilconnell, near Ballinasloe, County Galway, to a farming family.
Callanan was first elected to Dáil Éireann as Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for the Clare–Galway South constituency at the 1973 general election, and re-elected at the 1977 general election for the new Galway East constituency. He held that seat at the next two general elections, but died in office in 1982.
In the 1950s, he was an active member of the Irish farmers" youth association Macra na Feirme.