Background
Dunne was born in Rhode, King"s County, Ireland.
Dunne was born in Rhode, King"s County, Ireland.
He studied for the priesthood at Carlow College His relative John Dunne, then Vicar-General of Goulburn, requested that Dunne be devoted to the Diocese of Goulburn.
He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia in New South Wales, Australia. The request was granted by Archdeacon John Polding and the newly promoted priest worked for 16 years in Goulburn. Dunne was consecrated the first Bishop of Wilcannia on 14 August 1887 at Goulburn Cathedral, a position he retained until his death.