A native of Kilrush, County Clare and was known for his talents on the flute, tin whistle, and the concertina, an instrument common to his native County Clare.

He along with Paddy Moloney, Seán Potts, and Martin Fay were among the first members of Ceoltóirí Cualann besides being a founding member of the Chieftains in 1962. He left the Chieftains in 1979, to work as an engineer.