Michael Neary was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, and received his early education at St. Patrick's National School, Castlebar, and St. Jarlath's College, Tuam [REF].
From 1978 to 1981, he furthered his studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, earning a licentiate of Sacred Scripture; during that time he was also spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College [REF].