Background
He was born in Ballineen in West Cork in 1947.
He was born in Ballineen in West Cork in 1947.
He graduated from University College Dublin in 1970 with a Bachelor in Irish, history and philosophy and obtained a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1971.
He has worked both as a primary and secondary teacher, and in 1978 helped found a Gaelscoil, Scoil Lán-Ghaeilge Mhic Easmainn, in Tralee. He has been active in the promotion of Irish and in 2008 was elected as President of the Gaelic League. He held this post until 2011, when Donnchadh Ó hAodha was elected.
He is also editor of the Irish language literary monthly Feasta.