Bishop Connell returns to home town to deliver St Oliver Plunkett lecture
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At Bishop Paul Connell’s lecture on St Oliver Plunkett at the Greville Arms Hotel on Wednesday night last were, from left, Myles Cosgrave, chairman of the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society, which hosted the event; Most Rev Dr Paul Connell, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and Seamus O’Brien and Ruth Illingworth, of Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.Image 2 of 7
Among those who attended the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture on St Oliver Plunkett were, from left, Dolores McCague, Mullingar, Robert Delaney, Castlejordan, and Nancy Cunningham, Ballymore.Image 3 of 7
Jack Kiernan, Mullingar, was interested in the life of St Oliver Plunkett as detailed by Bishop Paul Connell at the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture.Image 4 of 7
Among those at the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture on St Oliver Plunkett were Gretta and Joe Connell, Mullingar.Image 5 of 7
At the Greville arms for the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture on St Oliver Plunkett were, from left, Des Walsh, Aidan McTiernan and Liam Corcoran, all Mullingar.Image 6 of 7
Arie Gorissen, Kinnegad (left), and Ger Dalton from Mullingar, at Bishop Paul Connell’s lecture on St Oliver Plunkett.Image 7 of 7
The attendance at The Greville Arms Hotel for Bishop Paul Connell’s Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society lecture on St Oliver Plunkett.The corruption and evil that led to the horrific execution of Meath-born Saint Oliver Plunkett were described in fascinating detail by the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Most Reverend Dr Paul Connell, at a lecture organised by the Westmeath Historical and Archaeological Society at the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar on Wednesday night last.
Addressing a large audience, Bishop Connell described how Oliver Plunkett, who was born in Lough Crew, near Oldcastle, grew up in an aristocratic family with links to several other prominent families across Ireland, including members of the Protestant aristocracy.
He came of age at a time when Catholicism was suppressed in Ireland and, in 1647, at the age of 22, travelled to Rome to begin his studies for the priesthood. He was admitted to the Irish College in the city.
As religious oppression continued in Ireland during his absence, he remained in Italy, becoming a professor of philosophy in Rome in 1657.
In 1669, he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh and was consecrated later that year at the Cathedral of Saint Bavo in Ghent. He returned to Ireland in 1670, posing as an Italian tourist.
Bishop Connell outlined the extent of the persecution of Catholics at the time, explaining that the Church was in disarray when Archbishop Plunkett arrived. Among the first problems he had to address was drunkenness among priests.
An impressive statistic highlighted during the lecture was that, over just four years, Archbishop Plunkett confirmed 48,655 people.
A highly astute man, he succeeded in bringing a measure of peace to the country. His circumstances changed dramatically from 1678 onwards, when the so-called Popish Plot prompted a wave of anti-Irish and anti-Catholic persecution.
With a price on his head, Archbishop Plunkett was forced into hiding. He was eventually arrested in December 1679 and imprisoned in Dublin Castle.
He was initially due to stand trial for treason in Dundalk, but the trial was eventually transferred to Westminster Hall in London.
Several witnesses gave false testimony against him in an effort to secure his conviction. Among the allegations was that he had attempted to raise an army of 70,000 men in Ireland to oppose the British.
Bishop Connell explained that the jury deliberated for just 15 minutes before finding Archbishop Plunkett guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
His execution took place on July 1, 1681. He was the last Catholic martyr to die in England, and those attending the lecture heard how he faced his fate with remarkable courage.