Robert Dawson was appointed Chaplain to Henry Cary, 1st Viscount Falkland, the Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1622.
After Roland Lynch died in 1625 the See of Clonfert was united with that of Kilmacduagh and Dawson was its inaugural incumbent, he served from 4 May 1627 until his death on 13 April 1643.
[7] Dawson had six children: Rowland, Matthew, Randal, Margery, Bridget and Robert.
[5] Dawson's brother, Thomas, bought land in County Londonderry in 1633 which became the town of Castledawson, founded in 1710 by Thomas' great-grandson Joshua Dawson MP.
[5] Dawson fled Ireland to his birthplace due to the Irish Rebellion in 1641 and died on 13 April 1643 in Kendal.