Making a Martyr - The Story of Oliver Plunkett
Irish History Podcast
Fin Dwyer
4.7 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 5 May 2020
⏱️ 20 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
St Peter’s Church in Drogheda Co Louth contains what has to be one of the most unsettling religious relics on display anywhere in the world. This is the head of an Irish man - Oliver Plunkett - who was hanged drawn and quartered in London in 1681. For religious catholics, the head of Plunkett, who was later declared a saint, is believed to have supernatural powers and can cure illnesses.
The story of how the body of a man executed in the most barbaric manner imaginable was transformed into one of Ireland’s most popular religious relics in the mid 20th century is intriguing. It’s wrapped up in 17th century religious wars, Catholic Emancipation and Ireland’s struggle for independence in the 20th century.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is a passenger announcement. You can now book your train on Uber and get 10% back in credits to spend on Uber eats. |
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| 0:20.0 | My name is Carolyn Adunahue. |
| 0:22.0 | My podcast is sentimental garbage and is currently being sponsored by Audible. |
| 0:27.0 | The Buffyverse is back. The cast old and new from the cult classic TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunite for an all new adventure |
| 0:35.0 | about connections that never die, even if you bury them. |
| 0:38.8 | Ten years after the series finale, the game-changing spell that gave power to all potential slayers still persists with |
| 0:45.0 | new slayers constantly emerging. Listen to slayers, a Buffy for a story now only on |
| 0:50.6 | audible. Subscription required, see audible.co. UK for terms. |
| 0:57.0 | St Peter's Church in Drouhada, County Loud |
| 1:01.3 | contains what has to be one of the most unsettling religious relics |
| 1:05.0 | on display anywhere in the world. |
| 1:07.5 | The church is famous because it has a human head of an Irish man, Oliver Plunkett, who was hanged, drawn and quartered, before being beheaded in London in 1681. |
| 1:17.8 | For religious Catholics, the head of Oliver Plunkett, who was later declared a saint, is believed to have supernatural powers and |
| 1:24.6 | can cure illnesses and perform miracles. |
| 1:27.6 | However, this wasn't always the case. |
| 1:30.0 | The story of how the decapitated head of a man executed in the most barbaric manner possible |
| 1:35.1 | was transformed into one of Ireland's most popular religious relics in the mid-20th century |
| 1:40.3 | is intriguing. |
| 1:41.3 | It's wrapped up in the story of 17th century religious wars, Catholic emancipation, |
... |
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