Drogheda marks culmination of ‘Saint Oliver 400' celebrations
A series of commemorative events took place in Drogheda over the weekend to mark the culmination of this year's Saint Oliver 400 celebrations.
The 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett was honoured throughout the year in both Drogheda and the Oldcastle area of Co Meath, with the final events held in recent days.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Drogheda marks culmination of ‘Saint Oliver 400' celebrations
Drogheda Independent A series of commemorative events took place in Drogheda over the weekend to mark the culmination of this year's Saint Oliver 400 celebrations. The 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett was honoured throughout the year in both Drogheda and the Oldcastle area of Co Meath, with the final events held in recent days.
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Tributes paid to legend of Drogheda printing industry Michael McDonnell
Michael 'Red Mac' McDonnell as he affectionately known had unique skills as he was trained as both bookbinder and a printer. He was born and grew up in the Dale, right in the middle of town and only a stone's throw from St Mary's Church. He began his career in the printing industry at 15 years of age first with the Drogheda Printers in Bolton Street where he served his apprenticeship, then the Trinity Press before joining the Drogheda Independent and was a popular figure among the staff with his pleasant and helpful personality. Michael was renowned for his hard working ethic but also his wonderful sense of humour and he loved nothing more than a laugh and a joke, doing the job he loved. In 1992 he and his wife Noreen decided it was time to go it alone and he set up his own small printing works in Fair Street which became hugely successful. He later set up a small printing workshop at the back of his home in Cherrybrook Drive and he happily worked away week in, week out, never letting a customer down, right up until he took ill in early April. He met Noreen, a member of the Matthew family from Marian Park when they were in their late teens. They went on their first date for a drink in the Gwent bar in West Street, and had been together ever since. The couple would have been 50 years married in August and had three wonderful children together, Jeannette, Linda and Richard who they adored. Apart from his family and printing, Michael's other big passion in life was supporting Tottenham Hotspurs. He was thrilled to see them win the Europa League, their first European trophy in 40 years. His family recorded the game and got to show it to him as he lay in his hospital bed. Hundreds of people attended his funeral mass at St Mary's Church and burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. A large number of tributes were paid to him on the RIP website. Michael and Maria Campbell wrote: "I always enjoyed a chat with Michael reminiscing on the past, you could always guarantee to come away happy and smiling. We will always remember him as one of nature's loveliest people. You will be greatly missed Isobel and Gene McKenna said: "Sincere sympathy to the McDonnell family on the passing of Michael. A true gentleman, Michael was a great colleague in Drogheda Printers over the years. May he rest in peace." Frankie Mulryne said: "Sincere condolences to Noreen, Jeanette, Linda and Richard and the McDonnell family on the passing of Michael, a great character and true friend who will be remembered with great fondness as the Red Mac. May he rest in Peace."
RTÉ News
09-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Exhibition marks 400th anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett's birth
The official launch of an exhibition to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett will take place in Drogheda, Co Louth today. The exhibition will include a number of artefacts and memorabilia associated with the iconic saint that have never previously been on public display. St Oliver Plunkett was born in Loughcrew in Co Meath on 1 November 1625 and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1654, having studied at the Irish College in the city. He later became the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and maintained his duties in the face of the Penal Laws when the Catholic Church was being suppressed. St Oliver Plunkett was eventually arrested and tried for treason in London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on 1 July 1681. His head was rescued by a group of his friends and eventually made its way to St Peter's Church in Drogheda, where it remains today in a specially made shrine. A series of events is taking place in the town this year to mark 400 years since St Oliver Plunkett's birth, and also the 50 years since his can canonisation in 1975, when he became the first newly-made Irish saint for almost 700 years. The official launch of the St Oliver 400 Commemorative Exhibition will take place at the Drogheda Civic Offices on Fair Street. The exhibition will include St Oliver's Crozier loaned from a private collection, the original ebony casing which housed the saint's head and an original coffin plate from the Monastery of St Catherine of Siena in Drogheda. Other items going on public display are three silver crucifixes attributed to the saint and vestments loaned from St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh and Mullingar Museum. The exhibition also includes a large collection of banners, books, coins and a written account of the then archbishop's trial in London in 1681. Co-chair of the Saint Oliver 400 Community Group, Tommy Burns said: "It is fitting that St Oliver who reformed the clergy, built schools, brought peace and hope to the people is still so fondly remembered in Ireland, and exemplified in this important exhibition in Drogheda, 400 years after his birth." Meanwhile, local historian Séamus Bellew, who specialises in heraldry and genealogy, said: "This exhibition brings together a rare collection of items, comprising books, brasses and the reliquary that housed St Oliver's head, all from the 17th century and much more besides...a must see." Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said it is important to commemorate the life of St Oliver as his story is one of "resilience and integrity during some of the most turbulent periods in our history." Mr McEvoy said: "His unwavering commitment to peace, reconciliation, and education serves as a timeless example for us all and the Saint Oliver 400 Exhibition brings this legacy to life in a new and powerful way. "On behalf of Louth County Council, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Saint Oliver 400 Community Group who have organised this exhibition here in our Civic Offices in the heart of Drogheda." The exhibition runs at 'The Exhibition Space' at Drogheda Civic Offices on weekdays until 4 July.
