 In 1909 he married a Miss McManus and had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, living on Borim (Kinawley), Dernacrieve, Swanlinbar.He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1933 general election as a National Centre Party Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan constituency.He was re-elected at the 1937 general election for the same constituency as a Fine Gael TD.