Alma Mater

I attended national school in Ballinderreen, Co Galway, near my home. My father was a teacher at the school, but I was never aware of any pressure on me.

Patrica Brogan, who taught me from junior infants through second class, was a major influence on my life. She was an artist and dramatist - thanks to her I've had a life-long interest in music and drama, singing in particular. I've dabbled in traditional Irish seannos singing and I've participated in quite a lot of musicals and light operas.

Between 1966 and 1971, I was at boarding school at Colaiste Einde in Salthill, Galway. I enjoyed it very much - particularly the great emphasis on sport. As a youngster I was sport mad. I totally immersed myself in hurling and Gaelic football; I started to play basketball and got involved in athletics.

My interest in drama and music continued at second level. One year, we won the all-Ireland junior drama competition at the Gate Theatre with a production of Bradan an Tinceara. In fourth year, I had the leading role - Nanki-Poo - in The Mikado. In my final year, I played Christy Mahon in The Playboy of the Western World.

Academically, I was reasonable. I got a Department of Education scholarship to go to UCG. I suppose I was quite ambitious. Being involved in sport does give you a competitive edge.

It was a trip to the Eisteddfod in Wales, which the school debating team won, that encouraged me to opt for Celtic studies at college. For the first time, I became aware of the Welsh language and it intrigued me. Welsh was part of UCG's Celtic programme.

In my second year at college, I spent four months working in the slate quarries in Blaenau Festiniog and perfecting my Welsh. I went as teenager and all of my contemporaries there were supportive of the Welsh language - far more so than my contemporaries at home were of Irish.

Throughout my UCG days I was playing hurling and football and continued my interest in debating. I started playing hurling for Galway in 1972 and remained on the team until 1983. In 1974 I also played on the Galway under-21 football team.

The GAA has remained a major interest all through my life. Ballinderreen is the heartland of hurling. The whole community is totally consumed with the game - it's a religion. My second-level school was also very influential.

Enda Colleran, the captain of the Galway football team which won the All-Ireland three times in row, was a teacher at Colaiste Einde. He was a great hero. I had just started at the school when he brought the Sam Maguire to Galway. After that time, the cup returned to Galway only this year, under my presidency.

The late Father Enda Muldoon was also very influential and encouraged our interest in Gaelic games. He was a great Irish teacher with a deep interest in Irish culture. He also coached us in debating.

While at UCG, I did a master's degree and a HDip. I taught for 16 years before taking a job with County and City of Galway VEC as Irish language officer. The cultural dimension of the GAA is an extension of my work. The VEC is very supportive of my GAA role.