Oliver Plunkett was born at Loughcrew near Oldcastle, County Meath, was educated at the Irish College in Rome, and was ordained in 1654. He taught theology in Rome and was representative of the Irish Bishops. He composed a poem, 'O Tara of the Kings'. In 1669 he became Archbishop of Armagh and began to reorganise his neglected diocese. He established the Jesuits at Drogheda. In 1673 he was forced to go into hiding, and he was arrested in 1679. All Catholic bishops and regular priests were to be expelled, and in 1680 Oliver Plunkett was brought to Dundalk and charged with activating an uprising. He was tried in London and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. His death is looked upon as martyrdom, subsequent events proving him innocent of all the charges brought against him. His relics are enshrined in Downside Abbey and his head is preserved in St Peter's Church, Drogheda. In 1920 he was beatified, and in 1975 canonised.

Born:	1 November 1625
Died:	1 July 1681