John helped originally establish Birr 20|20 Vision in 2014 after the demise of Birr Town Council and has served as Secretary for the group from then until 2024, when he accepted the role of Sports Pillar.
John is a part-time farmer and full-time community activist. Married to Carmel, John and Carmel live in the in the well-known ‘The Ring Farmhouse’, which has been the family homestead for over two centuries and is where John and Carmel raised their two adult children, Donncha and Shauna.
John was educated at Crinkle National School and Presentation College, Birr. On leaving school at sixteen John commenced his farming career. Shortly after this he was involved in the founding of Shinrone’s Macra na Feirme club. John played a very active role in that club for six years learning the skills of public speaking, debating and above all leadership.
Republican politics played a defining role in John’s life over the years and led to his introduction to electoral politics (unsuccessfully) in 1974. In 1985 John was elected to Birr Urban District Council followed by election to Offaly County Council in 2004, where he has been exceptionally active in shaping Birr Town and District at both Council and community level ever since. Major community projects that John has played a key role in developing include, Birr Leisure Centre, Birr Playground, Crinkle Sports Centre and Birr Youth Cafe. John is passionate about the Irish language and so was also instrumental, with fellow language enthusiasts, in establishing both an all-Irish pre-school in 2011, followed by a new multi denominational Gaelscoil in 2015, called Gaelscoil na Laochra.
