Career
He stood unsuccessfully as a Home Rule candidate for the United Kingdom House of Commons at a by-election in Kilkenny city in 1875. He was then elected for the new North Kilkenny constituency, and held that seat until his death. He was a very eloquent speaker.
He supported Horace Plunkett"s efforts to establish agricultural co-operatives by addressing local meetings, but died of heart disease before he had been able to attend more than three or four.