[1] Neville was educated for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he was ordained on 29 May 1847.
He was to join the teaching staff at the college, in 1850 becoming the Professor of Philosophy and in 1852 Professor of Theology until 1867 when he retired from Maynooth on health grounds, becoming a Parish priest in Monkstown and Passage West, Co.
[citation needed] During his time in Monkstown, Neville was responsible for the building of the Church of the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
[citation needed] He provided advice to a number of Irish Bishops at the Vatican Council.
[citation needed] In 1879, Neville, Dean of Cork was appointed (succeeding Dr Bartholomew Woodlock) as Rector of the Catholic University (while rector he still retained his role as Parish Priest at St. Finbarr's, Cork) he held the Rectorship until 1883 when he was succeeded by Dr. Gerald Molloy.