 Edward was educated at Father Doyle's School, Arran Quay and in 1861 entered Maynooth College, and was ordained priest on 24 June 1839.After his ordination he served successively as curate in Clontarf and in 1853 as administrator at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, in Dublin.He was selected, in 1854, for the see of Grahamstown in South Africa.