when he was 32 he was elected unanimously archbishop of dublin following the death of archbishop gregory in 1162, at the synod of clane, and was consecrated in by gelasius, archbishop of armagh and successor of st. malachy. he was the first irishman to be appointed to the see of this town ruled by danes and norwegians; it is notable that his nomination was backed not only by the high king ruaidrí ua conchobair (rory o'connor), diarmait mac murchada (who had by then been married to lorcán's sister, mor) and the community at glendalough, but also by the clergy and population of dublin itself. he played a prominent part in the irish church reform movement of the 12th century, as well as rebuilding christ church cathedral, several parish churches and emphasising the use of gregorian chant.