Born: 29 December 1909, Rathscanlan, Swinford, County Mayo
Entered: 07 September 1934, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois

Left Society of Jesus: 30 March 1935

Parents were farmers. Father died in 1932

Eldest of three boys.

Early education was at local primary school, and then he wanted to become a National School Teacher, and was tutored by the Principal, and attended night classes in Irish. In 1927 he got a scholarship for a Gaeltacht course at Tourmakeady Irish College. Tried a few times to get accepted for Teacher Training, but just missed out. Applied to Mungret but did not get accepted so he went to Mount Melleray in January 1932.. Then he was accepted at Mungret in 1932 to 1934.