 Christopher was the father of James Dowdall, who became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.George entered the Order of the Brethren of the Cross (colloquially known as the Crutched Friars or Crouched Friars due to the crutch-like staffs which they carried) at an early age and became the last Prior of their house at Ardee.He was appointed Primate of All Ireland by Henry VIII in 1543 to succeed George Cromer.