Harbison was born in the
Howth area to
Sheelagh Harbison and her husband Dr James Austin Harbison, educated locally, and at
St Gerard's School, Bray and
Stonyhurst College, and subsequently graduated from
Trinity College Dublin in 1960. His father was a doctor, who had held roles as county and city medical officer. His brother
Peter Harbison was an archaeologist and author. ==Career==