Conor McNicholas was born in Wexford, South East Ireland in 1976.

He attended Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork (Ireland's second capital), graduating with an Honours Degree in Sculpture.  During this time, Conor developed skills in ceramics, carving and cast work, but chose assembled steel for his final degree show – which introduced him to large sculpture for the first time – walking away with the top sculpture prize in his year for his five large assembled steel sculptures, made from heavy scrap. This award landed Conor a prestigious scholarship to work at the National Sculpture Factory of Ireland, Cork.