John Cowell grew up in Sligo and having practised as a doctor in wartime London, spent his working life with the Irish anti-tuberculosis campaign. He took part in some of the Hilton/Edwards productions and the Longford productions at the Gate Theatre. He has written several books including : Where They Lived in Dublin , Sligo: Land of Yeats' Desire, No Profit But The Name and a novel, The Begrudgers.