In 1787, he was ordained in Cloyne by the Bishop, his father-in-law, Richard Woodward, first deacon (24 August) and then priest (9 December).
He was appointed Rector of Dingindonovan (or Dangan) and Prebendary of Killenemer, and established a reputation for himself by choosing to live in his remote parish "at a period when very lax notions prevailed respecting clerical residence".
In 1801, following the preferment of Charles Agar to Dublin, Brodrick was appointed Archbishop of Cashel and Emly (and Primate of Munster) in his place and remained in that post until his death in 1822, when he was succeeded by Richard Laurence.
One obituary following his death described him as "a prelate of distinguished piety, and of the most exemplary attention to the duties of his high station, as evinced by his increasing vigilance in enforcing the residence of the clergy, and by his disinterested appointments to the vacant livings" in his diocese.
[citation needed] On 8 December 1786, Brodrick married Mary, the daughter of Richard Woodward, Bishop of Cloyne.