She began her secondary education at St. Michael's Holy Faith Convent in Finglas but was expelled for organising a protest march against the regime of the school.

[citation needed] Outside school, she was a member of a dance drama group, became involved in band culture and, around 1970, began to write lyrics.

[citation needed] At Trinity College, Dublin, (1972–1977) she studied English, History and Classical Civilization, taking five years to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree.

She was offered a teaching fellowship at Eastern Washington University where she studied (1981–1983) with James J. McAuley in a two-year programme which led to a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry.

Meehan has also written poetry for film, for contemporary dance companies and for collaborations with visual artists; her poems have been put to music by songwriters (including Christy Moore) and composers.