Factfile

Education:

1961-66: St Coleman's College, Claremorris, Co Mayo. 1966-71: St Patrick's College, Maynooth (BSc. HdipEd). 1971-76: NUI Galway (PhD physics)

Family:

married to Neasa, head of RTE's Irish language and features department. Two boys aged 18 and 9.

Interests:

sailing, reading, photography

Favourite reading:

John Banville's The Untouchable

and Seamus Deane's

In the Dark.

Favourite places:

Kerry, Japan, Spain.