Colette Ní Gallachóir was born in the Bluestack mountain area of Donegal in 1950. Brought up in a house of music, song and story. Her family moved to Gaoth Dobhair when she was about ten years of age. She was educated at Scoil Chonaill, An Bhun Bhig and at Clochar Lughaidh, Monaghan. From there she progressed to Carysfort Training College and has taught in Monaghan, Dublin, Lettterkenny and Ramelton. She is widely authologised.

She has read abroad on Turas na mBard, Conradh na Gaeilge, in Glasgow and Sicily. She was nominated for a Pushkin award for writing with children in schools. She has published in many Irish journals.

In recent years she had read at locations across Belfast including the Linen Hall, The Crescent Arts Centre, the Irish Consulate and An Ceathrú Póilí. A selection of her poetry was edited by Selina Guinness for inclusion in The New Irish Poets (Bloodaxe Books, 2004).

She has written four books of poetry, one in translation. Publications include: Idir Dhá Ghleann (Coiscéim, 1999); Na Sióga i Lag na hAltóra (Coiscéim, 2005); An tAmharc Deireannach: The Last Look (Arlen House, 2014); An Guth Aduaidh (Arlen House, 2021).