Ciaran O Nuallain was born in Strabane, County Tyrone, and was educated at Synge Street Christian Brothers' School, Dublin, Blackrock College and University College, Dublin. For some years he worked as sub-editor on the Irish Independent and was co-founder of the newspaper Inniu. He was the brother of Brian O Nuallain and published a memoir Oige an Dearthair in 1973. He also published a collection of essays Amaidi and a novel, Oiche i nGleann na nGealt. He died in Dublin.