Larkin presents the stunning thesis that the modern Irish church, in its political dimension, was created in the 1850s. From 1840 to 1860 a fierce power struggle raged, the principle differences being between the archbishop of Dublin, Daniel Murray, and the archbishop of Tuam, John MacHale, over educational and political issues. However, with the appointment by Pius X in 1849 of Paul Cullen as archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland, a turning point was reached.