born in castleblaney, county monaghan on 16 march 1838, his family moved to liverpool in england. he was educated in the catholic middle school, and studied for the priesthood at ushaw and bruges he was ordained to the priesthood on 22 december 1861. he was appointed coadjutor bishop of shrewsbury and titular bishop of "acmonia" on 22 august 1893. his consecration to the episcopate took place on 28 october 1893, the principal consecrator was cardinal herbert vaughan, archbishop of westminster, and the principal co-consecrators were william gordon, bishop of leeds, and john bilsborrow, bishop of salford. on the death of edmund knight, he automatically succeeded as the bishop of shrewsbury on 11 may 1895.