ABSTRACT
Twenty years after the synod of Kells had received papal confirmation for the new organizational structure for the church in Ireland, another synod took place at Cashel. This, however, was a synod of a different kind; it assembled at the request of King Henry II of England, shortly after his arrival in Ireland on October 17, 1171. He first went to Lismore, the see of GillaCríst Ua Connairche, then papal legate in Ireland. Afterward he proceeded via Cashel to Dublin, and thus had the opportunity to meet two archbishops, Donnchad Ua hUallacháin (Cashel) and Lorcán Ua Tuathail (Dublin). Through these contacts arrangements were put in place for a synod to meet at Cashel soon afterward.
