Celebrations at the 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett at his birthpace in Loughcrew
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The Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan celebrating the St Oliver Plunkett Mass at Loughcrew, with Fr Barry White, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Fr Mark English, and Bishop Michael Smith. Photos: Willie Forde Photography/Jay FordeImage 2 of 5
Fr Seamus Heaney, PP, Delvin, with Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, at Loughcrew on Sunday.Image 3 of 5
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin with Emily Naper of Loughcrew, Dame of the Order of St Lazarus.Image 4 of 5
Jake Pakenham delivered a talk on the milestones of St Oliver Plunkett at Loughcrew.Image 5 of 5
Very Reverend Fr Kevin Heary, PP, Johnstown-Walterstown, leads the procession into Loughcrew on Sunday.The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, said it was a joy to celebrate the 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett at his birthplace in Loughcrew on Sunday.
"St Oliver’s life, and death, reminds us to be strong witnesses and never afraid to stand up for what we believe," he said of predecessor as leader of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland. "Sadly, martyrdom remains a reality for many of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world."
Archbishop Martin has a special devotion to St Oliver, who was canonised 50 years ago this year, and commissioned a special sculpture of him for St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh in recent years. He was joined by chief celebrant, Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan, and Bishop Emeritus, Michael Smith, an Oldcastle native, as well as diocesan clergy, for the ceremony in Loughcrew, which takes place on the Sunday before the saint's feast day on 1st July.
Archbishop Martin delivered a powerful homily at a packed Loughcrew Annual Mass, highlighting Oliver's unparalleled ability to forgive and his undoubted gift as a peacemaker.
The Archbishop will be in Drogheda this coming weekend for the annual St Oliver Procession, which departs from Holy Family Church, Ballsgrove, at 3pm, proceeding to St Peter’s Church, West Street for Mass, which he will celebrate, followed by refreshments in Macey’s Hotel.
An inaugural 'Gathering' of the Plunkett Clan takes place in Loughcrew House and Gardens on Friday 4th July, with an ecumenical service in the 17th century church being followed by talks delivered by Plunkett clan members from 12 noon to 5pm – all are welcome. On Saturday evening, 5th July, a special St Oliver Concert takes place in St Peter's Church, West Street, Drogheda, when Edward Holly will lead St Peter's Male Voice Choir with special guests Sean Tester and Celene Byrne. There will be walking tours throughout the town on Friday 4th July.
Members of the public asre invited to take part in this historic series of celebrations and join us in honouring Ireland’s saint of peace and reconciliation.
The Saint Oliver Exhibition enters its final week at Drogheda's 'Exhibition Space' in Fair Street.
Also, in Dunsany, a heritage event around St Oliver is planned for closer to the anniversary of the canonisation in October.