Biography:
Robert was born in Co Carlow and attended Disraeli National School and Kilkenny College. Following the leaving cert, he completed a business and retail management course while discerning a vocation to the ordained ministry.
In 1975 he began training for the ministry by attending Chichester Theological College and completed his studies in Trinity College, Dublin.
He was made deacon in 1979 and ordained priest in 1980. He served curacies in Seapatrick Parish Banbridge, and Bangor Abbey, before being appointed rector of Rathfriland and Ballyward in Co Down. (all in the diocese of Down and Dromore)
He then moved to the diocese of Connor where he served in the parish of Finaghy and the parish of Cairncastle with All Saints Craigy Hill.
In 1998 he moved to Athlone which was followed four years later with his appointment as Dean of Clonmacnoise and rector of the Trim Cathedral group of parishes.
He returned to Connor diocese in 2012 when he became rector of Malone parish, Belfast.
He has a keen interest in the liturgical and worshipping life of the church and was Warden of Readers in Meath & Kildare for 12 years.
He has two daughters and while not catching up with them he enjoys walking his two springer spaniels and is a keen rugby supporter having been a player and referee in the past.
He is very much looking forward to returning to his roots and serving in the diocese where his vocation was fostered.