[1][2][3] Harty entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 1939, obtaining Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Languages and Literature in September 1942, and Theology in 1945.
[1][4] Following his ordination, Harty undertook postgraduate studies at St Patrick's College, obtaining a Licentiate of Canon Law in June 1948 and later a Doctorate in Divinity.
[1] Harty returned to St Flannan's College as a teacher in September 1948, where he taught English and history, filling the vacancy in staff left by the appointment of Joseph Rodgers as coadjutor bishop of Killaloe the previous January.
[1] On returning to Ireland, Harty was appointed secretary of the National Committee of Liturgical Consultors set up by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference in February 1965.
Harty was also deeply concerned about social marginalisation and the difficulties faced by the poor in obtaining credit, an issue for which he advocated while serving on the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference Commission for Finance.
[3] Known for walking the streets of Ennis to learn the concerns of his people, Harty advocated a practical church, placing a greater emphasis on community projects such as pre-marriage courses and marriage counselling.
[11] Harty died suddenly at his sister's home in Dublin on 8 August 1994, having attended the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals in Croke Park the previous day, as he had a lifelong interest in Gaelic games.