Christopher Banahan was awarded a first class honours B.A. Degree, from Nottingham Trent University in 1981, and received an M.A. in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London in 1984. In 1990 he received a Rome Award in Painting, from the British School of Rome.

He has lived in Ireland since 1993 and has received numerous awards from the Arts Council of Ireland. He has represented Ireland in numerous international art exhibitions, such as "Contemporay Art from Ireland", held at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, May 2005. In Ireland he is represented by the Hallward Gallery, Dublin.

He has had his paintings selected for several open competitions in Ireland including E.V. + A in Limerick and the R.H.A. Annual Open, Dublin.