Seán was born in Cathair Saidhbhín, Co. Kerry, in 1952. At an early age, and no doubt greatly encouraged by his parents' quiet but obvious delight, he developed a powerful grá for traditional music, song and dance. Like many another child he began his journey in music by covering the teeth of a haircomb with paper and humming a tune through it to produce an interesting sound. Part of his childhood repertoire of tunes was influenced by the music of the wonderful Valentia Pipe Band which he loved to follow and listen to at their performances in parades or at football matches. His first "real" instrument was the mouth-organ. In his teens he started playing tin-whistle, banjo and guitar. He still plays these instruments regularly and plays them very well indeed, although of late his more usual choice is flute, fiddle and guitar.

It is as a singer though that Seán is best known. "Fuelled by crisps and lemonade" as he says, he sang his first solo song in public on a school tour bus outing at the age of twelve. In the years since he has come to be everywhere acknowledged as a master of the art of traditional singing in either the Irish or the English language. In 1982 he won the Senior All-Ireland title for Sean Nós singing at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and in 2006 received the TG4 Gradam/Award of Amhránaí na Bliana/Singer of the Year.

He continues to sing, play, teach and give talks at festivals and gatherings all over Ireland and abroad. Since returning to live in Kerry in 2006 he has been appointed as Amhránaí Cónaitheach/Singer in Residence in his beloved Uíbh Ráthach where the larger part of his work is with the children in Irish-speaking schools.