Fr MacGreil was educated by the Christian Brothers in Westport, and served in the Irish Army from 1950 until 1959 as a cadet and officer MacGreil studied Louvain, Kent State University, Milltown Park and University College Dublin from where he gained his doctorate in sociology in 1976.
A lecturer in Sociology the National University at Saint Patrick"s College, Maynooth from 1971 until he retired in 1996, he also lectured for a time in University College Dublin. An activist on many issues such as Prison Reform, Irish Language, and more recently the Western Rail Corridor. He retired as lecturer in NUIM and was appointed to a parish in Westport, County Mayo. In 1980, Doctor MacGréil revived the tradition of making a pilgrimage to Máméan.
French
MacGréil has published many books, papers and reports on social issues and attitudes in Ireland.
