Born in County Meath, Ireland in 1629, Oliver studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. Due to anti-Catholic persecutions in Ireland, it was not possible for him to return to serve his people. Consequently, Oliver taught in Rome until 1669, when he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh.
 
Archbishop Plunkett returned first to England, where he tried using his influence to soften the rigour of the anti-Catholic laws in Ireland. Soon he entered his diocese in Ireland and set about visiting his people, establishing schools, ordaining priests, and confirming thousands. To bring the sacraments to the faithful he often had to visit their homes on the mountains and in the woods, and more often than not, Sacraments were given in the open air, with both flock and pastor being exposed to the wind and rain.
 
Soon, the storm of persecution burst with renewed fury on the Irish Church in 1673. Many of his priests were sent into exile, schools were closed, church services had to be held in secret, and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, Plunkett refused to leave his flock and would conceal himself in the woods or the mountains, and contented himself with dwelling that often had no roof to speak of. In one of his letters he wrote: "The snow fell heavily, mixed with hailstones, which were very large and hard. A cutting north wind blew in our faces, and snow and hail beat so dreadfully in our eyes that up to the present we have scarcely been able to see with them."
 
Soon, the fierce persecution eased a little and he was able to move more openly among his people. In 1679 he was arrested and falsely charged with treason. The government in Ireland could not find any honest men to testify against him, so he was brought to London. There he was unable to defend himself at the trial because he was not given time to bring his own witnesses from Ireland. Through the aid of dishonest witnesses, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt and sentenced him to be hanged, drawn and quartered. Before his death, Plunkett publicly forgave all those who were responsible for his death.
 
This print is part of the "Happy Saint" collection by Anna Morelli.
 
The image is professionally printed, hand-signed by the artist, and comes enclosed in a plastic sleeve to ensure protection.