Ray is a former president of Oireachtas na Gaeilge. He is a teacher, writer, and musician whose published works include biography and children's poetry and stories. He has written several plays for children and adults, some of which were commissioned by An Taibhdhearc, the national Irish language theatre in Galway. He and his colleague Joe Ó Dónaill are well-known exponents of the Luibin—the traditional Gaelic satirical two-hander, which is sung in verse. Oireachtas na Gaeilge honoured them with a lifetime achievement award for their contribution to the preservation and promotion of this ancient Gaelic art form. Ray was for many years the principal of an all-Irish school in Dublin. He currently lectures in the Irish language department of the Marino Institute of Education, an associated college of the University of Dublin, Trinity College.