Irish 1916 rebel leader Joseph Plunkett was related to our own St Oliver
June 1920
PENTECOST Sunday of 1920 will for ever remain a “red-letter day” in the history of Ireland as the day selected by the Pope to raise one of our many martyrs to the Altars of the Church—the first Irish Saint so honoured; I believe, since the Canonisation of St. Laurence OToole in 1226.
Drogheda is specially favoured in possessing what can be justly styled a “signal” Relic, for here in the Sienna Convent is preserved the Holy Head of Blessed Oliver Plunket who was martyred at Tyburn in 1681, during the reign of Charles II.
How proud we Drogheda Catholics should feel at having in our midst such a sacred and priceless treasure, and have we not reason to hope that in the years to come the shrine in which is encased the head of the murdered Archbishop will draw many a pilgrim there, from near an” far, to-invoke the help of him who, to use his own words, died “for his calling, his character, and his office.”
But are we fully conscious of the great gift in our possession? We read of how other peoples valued relics of their holy ones so highly that when, for some reason or other, it was found necessary to remove them from one town to another, the removal had to be done with the utmost secrecy and in the silence of midnight, fearing to provoke a tumult amongst the citizens.
The people of Drogheda have no reason to anticipate such a calamity.
The event of the Beatification on Pentecost Sunday must have made the day unique in the annals of the Sienna Convent which, founded in 1721, was the first Catholic Convent School re-opened in Ireland after the Reformation.
On Pentecost Sunday and Trinity Sunday, from early morning until late in the evening, a continuous stream of visitors from all parts passed to and from the holy Shrine. I was one of the gathering on the first named.day and I could see that the pilgrims’ lively faith was manifested by their reverence, recollection and prayerful demeanour. All classes were there—the old and young the strong and weak—all knelt side by side pouring forth fervent petitions for themselves, their dear ones , and their beloved country. Amongst the visitors tothe Shrine I noticed representatives of the Holy Martyr’s family.
Mrs. Joseph Plunket, who arrived, I believe, on Saturday to venerate the Relic - kept in a small tabernacle of ebony and glass - is the young widow of Joseph Plunket, the young Irish leader, who died for Ireland in Easter Week.
Mrs. P. J, Plunket, widow of Mr. Patrick Joseph Plunket, father of Count Plunket, came on Monday. She was accompanied by one of her grandsons—Master Patrick Plunket—as well as by Miss Josephine M. Hyacinth Plunket This family, I understand, lived formerly at Boyne House, Co. Meath. It would be impossible for me to estimate the number of people who thronged to venerate the Holy Relic during the past week and especially on the two Sundays. Close on 10,000 persons must have visited the Shrine during the eight days in question.’