After completion of his secondary schooling he worked in the family business which included a public house and a butcher shop.
Cowen first held political office in 1967, when he was co-opted onto Offaly County Council, following the death of his father.
[2] Fianna Fáil returned to government for the fourth successive time following a general election, however, as a new TD, Cowen remained on the backbenches.
Cowen supported Charles Haughey's successful bid for the leadership, but failed to secure promotion to ministerial office.
In March 1982, he was promoted to junior ministerial level, when he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with special responsibility for disadvantaged areas.