Background
He was the son of Alexander Richey of Mountemple, Coolock, County Dublin, and his wife, Matilda Browne, whose sister Margaret married Henry Caulfeild, father of the 3rd Earl of Charlemont.
He was the son of Alexander Richey of Mountemple, Coolock, County Dublin, and his wife, Matilda Browne, whose sister Margaret married Henry Caulfeild, father of the 3rd Earl of Charlemont.
He was educated at Dungannon Royal School, entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1848, and was elected on the foundation in 1861. He graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1853, winning the first gold medal in classics, Bachelor of Laws in 1855, and Doctor of Laws in 1873.
Richey was called to the Irish bar in 1855, and took silk in 1871. In 1871 he was appointed deputy regius professor of feudal and English law at Trinity College. He was also vice-president of the Royal Irish Academy, and an auditor and prizeman of the college historical society.
He died at his residence, 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin, on 29 November 1883, and was buried on 3 December in Mount Jerome cemetery.