Conlon was born in Rockcorry,
County Monaghan, where she spent her childhood. She was educated at
St. Patrick's College in Maynooth and briefly attended
University College Dublin. At the age of 19, Conlon went to Australia by ship in 1972 and worked at various jobs around the country. When she came back to Ireland by bus overland in 1975, she gave birth to her first child and returned to education at
Maynooth College, where she also started a child care centre (crèche). While earning her degree, she gave birth to her second child and separated from her husband. == Writing ==