Born in 1952. Ireland South. Educated at Tralee CBS and St. Brendan’s College Killarney. Qualified as a primary school teacher. B.A. and Higher Diploma in Education. (first class honours)from UCD. Secondary level teacher in Dublin and in St. Brendan’s College, Killarney. Former President of the Gaelic Athletic Assiociation (GAA)(2003–06). Founding Executive Chariman, Irish Institute of Sport. Chairman of Rose of Tralee.People of the Year Award 2006. Entrepreneur of the Year 2007.Honourary Doctorate Dublin Institute of Technology 2007.Kerry Person of the Year 2008. MEP since 2009.