In 1799 he obtained a commission in the Royal Irish Artillery, but a year later, when the corps was incorporated with that of Great Britain, he retired, and devoted his attention to civil engineering and mining.

During subsequent years he made many surveys and issued many reports on mineral districts in Ireland, and these formed the foundation of his first geological map of the country (1815).

He was to mark the boundaries of every county, barony, civil parish and townland in preparation for the first Ordnance Survey.

He was also called upon to assist in the preparation of a parliamentary Bill to provide for the general valuation of Ireland.

This Act was passed in 1826, and he was appointed Commissioner of Valuation in 1827, but did not start work until 1830 when the new 6" maps became available from the Ordnance Survey and which he was required to use as provided for by statute.

His extensive investigations furnished him with ample material for improving his geological map, and the second edition was published in 1835.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest surviving fellow of the Geological Society of London and was the last survivor of the long-since disbanded Royal Irish Regiment of Artillery.

He was buried alongside his wife, Maria Jane (née Waldie m. 21 Sep 1812) in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold's Cross, Dublin; on his grave is the epitaph: Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, Serving the Lord.