[1] He was the chairman of numerous boards including the Hibernian Bank and the Globe insurance company, he used his wealth and position to enhance his civic standing.

[1] A staunch nationalist, he contributed financially to the Home Rule League and after the split in 1890, he remained a supporter of Charles Stewart Parnell.

In the 1892 general election he stood as an Irish National League candidate for Stephen's Green constituency and was narrowly defeated by 15 votes by the liberal unionist William Kenny.

In twentieth-century history books he is chiefly remembered as a notorious slum landlord and despoiler of Georgian Dublin; he stripped out original features in the houses he owned and subdivided them.

However, he enjoyed a good reputation during his lifetime; his obituaries testify to his geniality, his common sense, and his ability to make friends across the political divide.