[2] A native of Ballina, County Mayo, he was educated at Garbally College in Ballinasloe, County Galway and University College Galway where he graduated with a degree civil engineering.

Calleary served briefly as Minister of State at the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism from October to December 1982, when Fianna Fáil lost office again.

[5] In March 1987, Haughey returned to office, and Calleary was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Overseas Aid.

[7] He was not retained by Albert Reynolds, who succeeded Haughey as Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach in February 1992.

His son Dara Calleary has been a Fianna Fáil TD for the Mayo constituency since the 2007 general election.