Ultan Macken was born in Galway in 1943. Having studied at University College Galway, he worked briefly as a journalist for the Irish Press Ltd. Macken undertook several teaching posts before becoming a feature writer / sub-editor for the RTE Guide in 1973. He remained in this position before opting for early retirement in September 1990. He then worked as a teacher and as a clerical officer for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. He wrote a one man show on his father, the acclaimed writer Walter Macken, called My Father, My Son. Author of many books including: Drug Abuse in Ireland, How to Play the Guitar, Eddie Kehers Hurling Life and Mike Murphys Micro-Quiz.