Following ordination to the priesthood for the Kerry Diocese, he undertook postgraduate work in theology and law at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
[1] A decade later, he accompanied Archbishop John Charles McQuaid CSSp to Rome as his peritus at the Second Vatican Council, contributing personally to Christus Dominus, the Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops.
[3] He retired in 1980, but contributed towards the framing of the 1983 Code of Canon Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II.
[4] One tribute to him summarised his long life and the many changes he has seen "he witnessed the demise of his victors, the decline of his alma mater and the collapse of Catholic Ireland.
"[5] He was not the only gifted member of his family: one of his siblings, Con Cremin, would become a career diplomat and ultimately Secretary-General of the Irish Department of Foreign affairs.