He was appointed parish priest of Kilcummin (Oughterard in 1827, from about which time he had been canvassing for office in a proposed Queen's College for Galway.
This was a highly emotive issue in Ireland, as it was felt that the Catholic population could not, and should not, propagate a system of education not endorsed by their clergy.
However, when the bill was eventually passed in 1845, Kirwin immediately travelled to London to argue his case with Sir Robert Peel, who was sufficiently impressed to nominate him.
At one point in late 1848 Kirwan was distressed enough by events to offer his resignation, but was dissuaded, apparently by the then Archbishop of Armagh, William Crolly, who was a staunch supporter of the scheme.
Matters turned tragic on 22 October 1849 when the contractor, Francis Burke, killed himself in Kirwan's home in Salthill.