Education: 1967-72 St Flannan's College, Ennis, Co Clare. 1972-75 NUI, Maynooth (BA arts). 1976 master's in sociology. 1988 PhD on local development and community enterprise.

Married to: Ethel.

Children: Eoin 16, Doireann 14, and Aedin 12.

Home: Dunsany, Co Meath.

Hobbies: theatre, reading, organic farming on a small scale

Favourite book: Declan Kiberd's Inventing Ireland.

Holidays: Italy.