monsignor maher studied for the priesthood in maynooth college and was ordained a catholic priest for the diocese of ossory in 1948, worked as a curate in dublin before moving back to kilkenny in 1955 and taught mathematics, physics and chemistry at st kieran's college, kilkenny, from 1963, and served as president of st kieran’s college from 1973 to 1983. he left st kieran’s to become parish priest of mullinavat in south kilkenny where he remained until he retired in 1998. he awarded the church title of monsignor from the catholic church.