born in tuam, county galway, in 1953. he was educated at university college dublin. he went on to become a primary school principal at st. mary's christian brothers school in dublin, before entering politics. he had two daughters with his wife anne, who died in november 2009. mcgrath was a contestant on the "you're a star" charity special in summer 2005, where he came in second. he released a charity single in december 2005, which featured the christmas song "angels we have heard on high" and the classic "bad, bad leroy brown". all proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to down syndrome ireland.