He trained as a mechanical and marine engineer but subsequently moved to Liverpool where he set up a business as a coal merchant. In his early days he was a Fenian and was imprisoned as such. After moving to England he became active in the Land League and in the Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain, and was again imprisoned in his capacity as secretary of the Commercial Branch of the Land League in Liverpool.
He studied mechanical and marine engineering but later moved to Liverpool where he began a coal merchant business. Initially, he supported Fenianism and served time for it. After relocating to England, he became active in the Land League and Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain, and was imprisoned again as secretary of the Commercial Branch of the Land League in Liverpool.