mchugh was born at annagh, glenfarne, county leitrim. he was the son of a tenant farmer, peter m’hugh of leitrim, and of anne mcdermott. he entered a catholic seminary, but left without taking orders. he went to paris and engaged in journalism, and taught science and classics in the athlone and sligo intermediate schools. in 1882 he married mary harte, daughter of a j. harte of sligo. she died in 1894. he became owner of "the sligo champion" in 1885. he was mayor of sligo in 1888, and again in 1895-98 and 1900. he was elected to sligo county council on its establishment in 1899 and became its first chairman.