He was a brilliant scientist, a regular contributor to technical journals on astronomy, light and radio waves and fascinated by the development of the modern wireless system. He served as College President from 1905 to 1919 when he was appointed Parish Priest of Maghera and, in time, Vicar General of the Diocese. He served there until his episcopal appointment in 1926 in succession to Charles MacHugh (bishop).[2]
Bishop of Derry
His appointment was a popular one and, given his experience in education, he made the provision of schools a key part of his pastoral work across his diocese, divided into two sovereign states by Partition of Ireland.
A social conservative, his 1932 Lenten Pastoral Letter he wrote of how the poteen trade had become a plague "which was raising a race of degenerates which was bringing no credit to our race.[3]
He died at the residence of his niece Mrs P.F. Mooney in Kilrea after a long illness in January 1939 and the Irish Times reported that "10,000 men followed his coffin as it arrived back into his Cathedral city"[5]
