Fr John McEvoy took part in a pilgrim walk in Drogheda on 3rd July 2026 to commemorate the martyred Archbishop of Armagh, St Oliver Plunkett. The walk was led by Archbishop Eamon Martin, St Oliver’s successor in Armagh.
On Friday evening 3rd July, a group of about 100 pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Church on West Street, home to the National Shrine of St Oliver Plunkett, where the saint’s head and other relics are preserved.
All were welcomed by Canon Eugene Sweeney PP and VG.
Archbishop Eamon Martin invited pilgrims to retrace places associated with St Oliver’s life in Drogheda while reflecting on his faith, courage and commitment to reconciliation.
Photo: Fr John McEvoy
Archbishop Martin has often described St Oliver as a model of faith, peace and reconciliation, encouraged pilgrims to see the walk not only as a remembrance of history but also as a spiritual journey calling Christians to forgiveness and hope in today’s Ireland.
Tom Hodgins, a member of the organising committee, directed the route of the pilgrimage which started at the sculpture (bust) of St Oliver (by Albert Power) at the side of St Peter’s Church.
Photo: Fr John McEvoy
At St Laurence’s Gate, West Street in the middle of the town, local historian Brendan Matthews reiterated the persecution and the suffering the town of Drogheda would have endured during the time of Oliver Plunkett in the 1670/80s and previously during the time of the Oliver Cromwell’s invasion 1649/50s.
Another significant site visited was the grounds of the Dominican friary and former Convent, one of the town’s most important Catholic heritage sites. This stop naturally links St Oliver’s faith to earlier Irish religious traditions and is the burial place of many of the Dominican Sisters including Mother Catherine Plunkett who was a relative, traditionally believed to be St Oliver’s grandniece.
Photo: Fr John McEvoy
Here the well-known author and authority on St Oliver, Tommy Burns recounted the journey which the relics of St Oliver (including his head) had taken after his death in Tyburn in 1681 – from London to the continent, to Rome, back to the Dominican Convent in Drogheda where it was kept and safeguarded for about 200 years.
After the beatification of St Oliver in 1920, the relics were processed through the town to St Peter’s Church Drogheda in 1921 where they have remained ever since.
Finally, at the Augustinian Church and Priory in Shop Street, a plaque was unveiled by the Lord Major of Drogheda, Councillor Declan Power, and Archbishop Martin.
It is believed that this may have been the site where St Oliver started a school after his return from Rome in 1670 run by the Jesuit Fr Stephen Rice SJ for 110 Catholic boys and 40 Protestant boys together with a seminary training 56 students for the priesthood – all this while the penal laws were still in existence and the ongoing persecution after the Cromwellian Invasion.
The school lasted only three years before it was suppressed.
Photo: Fr John McEvoy
Fr Terry Howard SJ a local Jesuit and native of Drogheda addressed the pilgrimage here. This plaque, which was erected by the ‘St Oliver Peace and Reconciliation Group’, was blessed by Archbishop Martin.
Tom Hodgins on behalf of the ‘St Oliver Peace and Reconciliation Group’ thanked all for coming and following in the footsteps of St Oliver Plunkett witnessing to his faith, suffering and commitment at one of the most difficult times in Irish history. The pilgrims were treated to a cup of tea and refreshments before departing for home.
This walk formed part of the St Oliver’s Festival (3rd – 5th July 2026), which is an extension of two major celebrations last year:
Photo: Fr John McEvoy
The Anniversaries:
- 400 years since the birth of St Oliver Plunkett (1625–2025).
- 50 years since his canonisation in 1975.
In 1681, St Oliver Plunkett had spent many months imprisoned in London. He knew he had been falsely accused of treason, yet he remained remarkably peaceful.
Witnesses recorded that he spent his final night in prayer, forgiving those who had lied against him and preparing himself to meet God.
On 1st July 1681, he was taken to Tyburn, the place where many Catholic martyrs were executed. Before he died, he declared publicly that he was innocent of treason and that he forgave everyone who had contributed to his death.
Photo: Fr John McEvoy