Eamonn is the eldest of five children born to Margaret and Sean O’Neal, who met as young teachers in Wythenshawe. His mum’s family all came from Co Kerry, and his dad was from Belfast. Margaret O’Neal was one of the first registered Irish dancing teachers and adjudicators in the north of England and Eamonn and his two sisters were dancers in their youth.

After hanging up his dancing shoes and kilt, Eamonn took to the piano and accordion, becoming one of the foremost players for step dancers at feisanna. During his playing career, he toured much of Europe and America as a member of groups representing Ireland at international folk festivals. He has played in many Irish bands, including The Manchester Ceili Band and Curragh, which was a forerunner to Toss The Feathers. He has recently released his second album, Legacy, produced by Mike McGoldrick, and he was delighted to be joined on the album by internationally recognised Irish musicians from Manchester and beyond, including Michael himself, Angela Usher MBE, Dezi Donnelly, Michael Coult, Seamus O’Sullivan and Tim Edey.

Although Eamonn began his working life as a teacher, he soon moved into journalism and broadcasting, firstly with the BBC ,where he also created the long-running Irish programme, The Parlour. He continues to present programmes on BBC Radio Manchester. When he moved into television, he was a well-known face in front of the cameras before becoming executive producer of This Morning and head of regional programmes for Granada TV. During that time, he commissioned a six-part documentary series The Irish Connection, which looked at the influence the first and second generation Irish people had on life in the northwest.

After some years as Managing Editor of The Manchester Evening News, he changed direction and was appointed Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice. Now retired from full-time employment, he is Chair of two charities: Prevent Breast Cancer and The Edge Theatre, and is a trustee of a further four, including Francis House Children’s Hospice and The Diocese of Salford.

He received an Hon Doctor of Arts degree from The University of Greter Manchester in 2015. He was High Sheriff of Greater Manchester 2020-21 & 2024-25. He was awarded the OBE by King Charles in the 2005 New Year’s Honours List for ‘services to charitable causes and disabled people’. His civic appointments have enabled Eamonn to proudly share his Irish heritage and values with a wide, diverse audience, underpinning the importance of blended cultures.

Eamonn is married to Sheila, and they have three children, all of whom work in the TV and film industry, and two grandchildren.