Micheál MacGréil


Fr Micheál P MacGréil S.J., is a Jesuit priest, sociologist, writer and activist from Ireland.

Biography

Micheál MacGréil was born in Clonaslee, County Laois in 1931 and grew up in near Westport, County Mayo. Fr MacGréil was educated by the Christian Brothers in Westport, and served in the Irish Army from 1950 until 1959 as a cadet and officer. MacGreil studied Louvain, Kent State University, Milltown Park and University College Dublin from where he gained his doctorate in sociology in 1976. A lecturer in Sociology the National University at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth from 1971 until he retired in 1996, he also lectured for a time in UCD.
An activist on many issues such as Prison Reform, Irish Language, and more recently the Western Rail Corridor. He retired as lecturer in NUIM and was appointed to a parish in Westport, County Mayo.
In 1980, Dr MacGréil revived the tradition of making a pilgrimage to Máméan. In 1981, he chaired a special working party on the Jesuit Catholic Workers College, which was to evolve into the National College of Ireland.
Fr MacGréil has published many books, papers and reports on social issues and attitudes in Ireland.
In 1994 Dr MacGréil served as president of AONTAS, the Irish national adult learning organisation.

Publications