[1][2] Beresford belonged to a family "connected for generations with the highest dignity and power in the civil and ecclesiastical administration of Ireland"[3] Educated at Richmond School under Dr Tate and at Trinity College, Cambridge, he graduated BA in 1824, MA in 1828 and DD in 1840.

[1] In 1824, Beresford was ordained deacon and in 1825 priest, and was quickly appointed Rector of Kildallon, County Cavan, a parish in his father's diocese of Kilmore.

[1] Beresford died at Armagh on 26 December 1885 and was entombed there in St Patrick's Cathedral.

[4] On 25 October 1824 Beresford married Mary, a daughter of Henry L'Estrange of Moystown and the widow of R. E. Digby of Geashill.

[1][2] There is a memorial to Elizabeth in the south aisle at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.