Saint Oliver Plunkett's Shrine in Drogheda
One of the most moving experiences of our pilgrimage through Ireland was learning about Saint Oliver Plunkett. We first encountered his story at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, where he was Archbishop. The cathedral has a very haunting statue of him, with a noose around his neck. His body is lean and elegant, his face resolute and serene. Intrigued, we learned that he was one of the English martyrs killed in the aftermath of the English Reformation. We also learned that his relics were not far, in Drogheda, Ireland. It was an easy site to add to our pilgrimage, as we would be passing by on our way to Dublin for the flight back to Italy.
Saint Oliver Plunkett – 400 Years Since His Birth
Oliver Plunkett was born in 1625 to a noble Irish family in County Meath, during a time when being Catholic in Ireland meant facing severe restrictions. Recognized for his intellectual gifts from an early age, he left Ireland at just 16 to study for the priesthood in Rome, as Catholic seminaries were forbidden at home.
For 25 years, Plunkett remained in Rome, where he was ordained a priest in 1654 and became a professor of theology. His intellect and diplomatic skills caught the attention of church authorities, who saw in him a leader for troubled times.
In 1669, he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, returning to a homeland he hadn’t seen in a quarter-century. This was during a brief period when persecution of Catholics had temporarily relaxed, though still fraught with danger.
What struck us most about Plunkett’s ministry was his tireless work to rebuild the Irish church. He traveled his diocese on foot, confirmed thousands, established schools, and worked to reform both clergy and laity after years of disorganization under persecution. He even sought reconciliation between competing Catholic factions, showing wisdom beyond his era.
The English Martyrs and Tyburn
To understand Plunkett’s fate, one must understand the broader context of the English and Irish Catholic martyrs. Following England’s break with Rome under Henry VIII, Catholics in England and Ireland faced varying levels of persecution for over two centuries.
The most notorious execution site was Tyburn gallows in London, located near what is now Marble Arch. This triangular structure, known grimly as the “Tyburn Tree,” could hang up to 24 people simultaneously and became synonymous with martyrdom for the Catholic faith.
Between 1535 and 1681, more than 105 Catholics were executed at Tyburn for their faith. They included priests, laypeople, men and women — all facing the same horrific death: hanging, drawing, and quartering, the punishment for high treason.
We first learned about these martyrs when in York, visiting the home of Saint Margaret Clitherow and the Bar Convent. Later, in London at Saint Etheldreda’s church, we saw the stained glass window depicting the Tyburn gallows, and life-sized statues of the people martyred near there.
Saint Oliver Plunkett would be the last Catholic to die at Tyburn, closing this terrible chapter in religious history.
Arrest, Trial, and Martyrdom
The relaxation of anti-Catholic measures proved temporary. By 1678, the infamous “Popish Plot” hysteria swept England — a fictional conspiracy claiming Catholics planned to assassinate King Charles II. Though entirely fabricated, the plot sparked a new wave of persecution.
Plunkett initially went into hiding, living in a small hut and visiting his flock in disguise. He refused to abandon his people by fleeing to the continent. Eventually betrayed, he was arrested in 1679 and imprisoned in Dublin Castle.
Authorities, finding no evidence against him in Ireland, transferred him to London where a fair trial would be impossible. Denied time to bring witnesses from Ireland, he faced perjured testimony from men he had disciplined for misconduct.
The outcome was predetermined. On July 1, 1681, Plunkett was convicted of high treason for “promoting the Roman faith.” He spent his final days in London’s Newgate Prison writing letters of forgiveness and preparing spiritually for death.
On July 11, 1681, he was drawn on a sledge to Tyburn. Even Protestant witnesses recorded his dignity. From the scaffold, he spoke words reminiscent of Saint Thomas More: “I have declared my innocence of the crimes charged against me… I beg my Savior to grant me strength to suffer death with patience and resignation for His sake.”
The crowd witnessed his hanging, but King Charles II, perhaps troubled by conscience, spared him the full horror of drawing and quartering while still alive. His body was buried in two tin boxes, later exhumed and transferred to Benedictine custody.
Legacy and Canonization
Saint Oliver Plunkett’s head was preserved separately, eventually making its way back to Ireland. After being kept at a Benedictine monastery in Germany for years, it was transferred to Drogheda in 1921, where it remains today.
The path to canonization was long. Though venerated immediately by Irish Catholics, official recognition took centuries. He was beatified in 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975 as the first new Irish saint in nearly 700 years.
Saint Oliver Plunkett holds special significance for Irish Catholics as a symbol of faithfulness during the darkest times of persecution. His canonization ceremony was particularly meaningful, occurring during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Pope Paul VI pointed to Plunkett as a model of reconciliation — a man who served all Irish people regardless of division.
Today, he is the patron saint of peace and reconciliation in Ireland, his witness transcending religious boundaries to speak to all who work for peace.
Our Visit to St. Peter's in Drogheda
St. Peter’s Church itself is a Gothic Revival structure, unique in that it is one of the few Catholic churches located right in the city center. In most other UK and Ireland towns, the central church had been converted to Protestant or destroyed during the Reformation.
We made our way to the north transept, where the shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett is located. The preserved head rests in a specially designed glass case atop an ornate brass stand. The reliquary is surrounded by informational displays about the saint’s life and martyrdom. It includes his cell door from the prison, and a few more relics.
We spent time in prayer, said a Rosary and lit a candle for our kids. (Yes, John has become the “lights a candle at every church guy.”) Before leaving, we also visited the small store adjacent to the church, where we had a fantastic chat with the shop keeper. Interestingly, he had a deep devotion to St. Kateri Tekakwitha — the first canonized indigenous woman of North America (he even gave us prayer cards of her). It was a beautiful ending to our pilgrimage here.
St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for us!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who was Saint Oliver Plunkett?
Saint Oliver Plunkett was the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland during the 17th century. He is best known for his tireless work in reforming the Irish Church and his eventual martyrdom at Tyburn under the false charges of the “Popish Plot.”
Where is the head of Saint Oliver Plunkett kept?
The preserved head of Saint Oliver Plunkett is enshrined at St. Peter’s Church in Drogheda, Ireland. It was rescued from the execution fires at Tyburn and eventually brought back to Ireland, where it remains a major site of pilgrimage today.
What did Saint Oliver Plunkett do?
He was a dedicated educator and peacemaker. He established the first integrated school in Ireland (for both Catholics and Protestants) in Drogheda and is said to have confirmed over 48,000 people during a four-year period of relative religious tolerance.
Why was Saint Oliver Plunkett executed?
He was falsely accused of high treason during a wave of anti-Catholic hysteria known as the Popish Plot. Despite a lack of evidence in Ireland, he was moved to London for a show trial and became the last Catholic martyr to die at the Tyburn gallows.
What is Saint Oliver Plunkett the patron saint of?
He is the patron saint of peace and reconciliation in Ireland. His intercession is often sought for healing the divisions within the country and for those facing religious persecution.
Fast facts about Saint Oliver Plunkett
Born: November 1, 1625 (Loughcrew, County Meath)
Feast Day: July 1st
Patronage: Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland
Canonized: October 12, 1975 (First new Irish saint in almost 700 years)
Martyred: July 1, 1681 at Tyburn, London
Major Shrine: St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Ireland