[1] Cowley entered the acting profession as a member of one of the touring companies that brought theatre to rural communities in Ireland up until the 1960s.
His performance won him a Jacob's Award in 1967 and he continued in the cast until the series ended in 1979.
[3] Following The Riordans, Cowley returned to the stage and continued acting up to the end of his life.
At the time of his death, he was rehearsing with Galway's Druid Theatre Company for their production of Brian Friel's play, Philadelphia Here I Come.
[citation needed] Cowley was a passionate opponent of cruelty to animals and campaigned vigorously against hare coursing and fox hunting.