A native of Loughrecrew, Co. Meath, Oliver Plunkett was a Catholic bishop who was falsely accused of plotting to have the the English King, Charles II murdered. After a farcical trial, Plunkett was sentenced to death. His sentence was carried out on the 1st of July 1861 when he was hung, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, a traitor's death.
In 1920 Oliver Plunkett was beatified, and on the 12th of October 1975 he was canonized. In 1997 he was made the Patron Saint for peace and reconciliation in Ireland.
He is remembered in Ireland today by a number of churches, streets and schools which are named after him throughout the country. Sir Oliver Plunkett is the Irish patron saint of peace and reconciliation
