Born in Dublin and reared on the south side of Dublin near Sandymount, he is a native Irish speaker and was educated at both Scoil Lorcáin and Coláiste Eoin. He completed a degree in Physiotherapy at University College Dublin in 1988. He is the son of Irish language publisher and author Pádraig Ó Snodaigh and artist Cliodhna Cussen. His brothers are Fergus, Aengus, Cormac, Rónán and Rossa. His great uncle Dennis Cussen ran in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, in the 100 yards competition, held the world record for fastest time over 100 yards on grass for a time and also played rugby for Ireland 15 times scoring a famous hat-trick of tries against England in 1926.. Which event happened first, Dennis Cussen running in the Amsterdam Olympics or scoring a famous hat-trick of tries against England playing rugby?