 He taught for a time in St Kieran's College, Kilkenny, following which he returned to Clogher Diocese to become curate in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.He was appointed Professor of Moral Theology & Canon Law in St Patrick's College, Maynooth, in 1904.He was appointed the Catholic Bishop of Clogher on 1 June 1909, following the death of his predecessor, Richard Owens.