[3] As a young man he joined Conradh na Gaeilge and the Irish Volunteers; however, he was deported to England for his activities.
[5] During the Irish War of Independence he fought against the Black and Tans in County Clare.
[5] After the Anglo-Irish Treaty he became an official with the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU).
He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Labour Party Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency in 1923.
[7] He welcomed United States President John F. Kennedy to the house on 28 June 1963 during his visit to Ireland.