James Maher(1840–1905) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic priest who served as Bishop of Port Augusta from 1896 until his death in 1905. James Maher was born in the parish of Granemockler, Co. Tipperary, Ireland on July 12, 1840. He studied classics at Mount Melleray Abbey Grammar School, and philosophy and theology at St. John's College, Waterford. He was ordained priest at Maynooth College in 1868, by Bishop of Sale and arrived in South Australia in December of the same year. Fr Maher served in various roles, at Kadina, Mount Barker, Adelaide, and Kapunda, and was then appointed to Pekina, where he served as parish priest. When the Port Augusta diocese was established and Dr. O'Reily appointed first Bishop in 1888, Father Maher was appointed Vicar-General, and on Dr. O'Reily's translation