Her professional career began while she was still attending university—where she ultimately earned four degrees (BA, BEd and two MA's) in various subjects, including history, philosophy, theatre and medieval studies.
[3][4] With the release of her first album, Elements (1986), which included seven of her own songs, McGann began to be redefined as a singer-songwriter, even though she continued to sing Celtic traditional music.
This album garnered attention in Great Britain, including a favourable review in Folk Roots magazine,[5] as well as North America; she played her first British festival, the Glasgow MayFest in 1987.
Her seventh solo CD, Pocketful of Rhymes, was released late in 2010, and comprises an eclectic collection of original and traditional songs.
In addition to performing at folk clubs, halls and festivals, McGann also teaches at a variety of music camps, and does individual workshops in songwriting, vocal styles, and traditional song.
In October 2011, BerLen Music of Ontario released The Eileen McGann Songbook, with 50 of her written and recorded songs, as part of the "Essential Canadian Songwriter Series.