The Life Of Dr. O' Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Bishop O'Dovany's execution on Dublin field

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1612

   Dr. O'Dovany, Bishop of Down and Connor, was hanged on a field north of the city before a huge crowd, declaring on the scaffold that he died for the faith and not for treason. An English Protestant executioner, condemned for robbery, performed the execution reluctantly out of compassion for the Bishop's grey hairs.

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   " The field to the north of the city, which could easily hold 3000, was crowded.

   " The executioner was an Englishman and a Protestant (for no Irishman could be found who would stain himself with the blood of the Bishop), who was condemned to death for robbery, and was promised his life for acting as executioner on this occasion. Yet though he had thus purchased his life, he was touched with reverence and compassion for the grey hairs of the Bishop, and prayed his pardon, and with trembling hands adjusted the noose. The moment the Bishop mounted the first step of the ladder, and his head was seen above the crowd, great cries and groans burst from all the spectators.

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   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, this is where Dr. O'Dovany, Bishop of Down and Connor, was hanged in 1612. The field to the north of the city, which could hold 3000, was crowded. No Irishman could be found to act as executioner, so an English Protestant, condemned to death for robbery, was promised his life if he would do it. Yet even he was touched with reverence and compassion for the grey hairs of the Bishop, and prayed his pardon, and with trembling hands adjusted the noose. The moment the Bishop mounted the first step of the ladder and his head was seen above the crowd, great cries and groans burst from all the spectators.

2. Fatal Collapse at a Clandestine Dublin Mass-House

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1745

   In 1745, under the Penal Laws forbidding Catholic worship, a large crowd gathered at dawn on St. Patrick's Day to hear Mass in an old Dublin warehouse. The floor collapsed under the weight of the congregation, killing nine people including the officiating priest.

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   To celebrate Holy Mass, or any public worship of Catholic faith, was forbidden under the gravest penalties by law. On St. Patrick's Day, 1745, at the dawn of morning, a crowd assembled to hear Holy Mass in an old warehouse in Dublin. The pressure of the ardent, pious, faithful children of St. Patrick was so great, that the floor gave way, and nine persons, including

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   As the companion tells it

   In 1745, Catholic worship was forbidden under the gravest penalties of law. On St. Patrick's Day that year, a crowd gathered at dawn to hear Mass in an old warehouse here in Dublin. So many people pressed in that the floor gave way. Nine people died, including the priest who was saying the Mass.

3. Arrival and Imprisonment in Dublin's Dungeon

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1583

   After a punishing chained journey from Carrick-on-Suir during which he suffered hunger, thirst and abuse from his guards, Dr. O'Hurley arrived in Dublin on 7 October 1583 and was thrown into the city's filthy dungeon.

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   Through the influence of the Ormond family, which was all-powerful in Kilkenny, many of the citizens got permission to visit our holy Prelate, and received the sacraments at his hands. He spoke freely of the awful tortures and death which he foresaw awaited him. His constant prayer to God was for courage and fortitude to lay down his life for the faith of Jesus Christ, and for the same end he used to beg the prayers of his pious visitors. From Kilkenny our holy Archbishop, laden with chains, was conducted to Dublin, where he arrived on the . 7th of October 1583, and was thrown into the filthy dungeon of the city.

   During the long journey from Carrick-on- Suir to Dublin our Saint's sufferings were most intense. He suffered from hunger and thirst. Cold water to moisten his parched lips and tongue was denied him. The chains with which he was bound cut his tender holy hands and feet, and his guards mocked and showered upon him all manner of insults and injuries. During the journey his lodging was the filthy prison of the town or village through which he passed.

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   As the companion tells it

   Dublin lies ahead. In October 1583, this city was the end of a brutal journey for Dr. O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel. Before reaching Dublin, he had been held in Kilkenny, where the Ormond family used their influence to let citizens visit him and receive the sacraments at his hands. He spoke freely of the awful tortures and death he foresaw awaited him. His constant prayer to God was for courage and fortitude to lay down his life for the faith of Jesus Christ, and he begged the prayers of his pious visitors for the same end. From Kilkenny, laden with chains, he was conducted to Dublin. He arrived on the 7th of October 1583 and was thrown into the filthy dungeon of the city. The long journey from Carrick-on-Suir to Dublin had been agony. He suffered from hunger and thirst. Cold water to moisten his parched lips and tongue was denied him. The chains with which he was bound cut his hands and feet. His guards mocked him and showered upon him all manner of insults and injuries. At each town or village along the way, his lodging was the filthy prison.

4. Pursuit and Arrest at Carrick-on-Suir

   Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1583

   O'Hurley escaped from Slane to Carrick-on-Suir, but the Baron of Slane and his officials pursued him there and placed him under arrest, despite strong protest from Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, who held the castle.

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   Dillon, came on a visit to the castle, whether by accident or design no one could tell, and the Archbishop conversed with him during dinner with such grace and eloquence, that the Chancellor's suspicions were excited, and he determined to make strict inquiries regarding the character and mission of this distinguished stranger. Lord Slane was immediately sent for, and ordered, under the heaviest penalties, to bring the Archbishop to the Castle of Dublin with the least possible delay. With this unjust mandate the earl determined to comply, partly through fear of losing his estates, and partly through weakness of faith ; but before his return from Dublin, Dr. O'Hurley had escaped to Carrick-on-Suir. The Baron and .his officials pursued him thither and placed him under arrest, against the strong remonstrance of Thomas Butler, surnamed the Black, Earl of Ormond, who then held the castle" (Eothe).

   Short was his stay at the Castle of Slane. Detectives were on his track; the Government officials got inklings of his hidingplace ; and to save his host from the heavy penalties inflicted by the law on those who harboured outlaws, and especially ecclesiastics exercising foreign jurisdiction, our

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5. Arrest of Dr. O'Hurley at Carrick-on-Suir

   Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1583

   O'Sullivan Beare records that Dr. O'Hurley was arrested at Carrick-on-Suir in September 1583, despite the protests of Thomas Butler, the 'Black Earl of Ormonde', who tried unsuccessfully to secure his release.

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   but their plans were frustrated by the fidelity of the Irish Catholics. In order to escape notice, he wore generally a secular dress, as indeed all bishops and priests were obliged to do in England, Ireland, and Scotland, ever since this persecution first broke out. . . . Dr. O'Hurley was arrested at Carrick-on- Suir in September 1583. Thomas Butler, surnamed the "Black Earl of Ormonde," protested against this injustice, and used every exertion afterwards to obtain the Archbishop's release ; but all to no purpose. . . . The Archbishop was hurried off to Dublin, and kept bound there in chains in a dark and loathsome prison up to Holy Thursday of the following year, when he was brought before the Lords Justices Loftus and Wallop. At first they received him kindly, and promised a free pardon and promotion in the Church if he denied the spiritual power of the Pope, and acknowledged the Queen's supremacy. 'He had resolved/ he replied, ' never to abandon, for any temporal reward, the Catholic Church, the Vicar of Christ, and the true faith/ Loftus and Wallop, seeing that promises would not avail, had recourse to arguments. * . . If arguments failed to convince him, they said, other means must be tried to

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6. O'Hurley's torture by the 'Boots' recalled in defence of Rome

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1584

   The author recalls that Dr. O'Hurley endured torture of the 'Boots' and was executed on the scaffold in defence of the authority of the See of Rome, framing his suffering as a touchstone of true faith.

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   Our Saint, Dr. O'Hurley, endured the torture of the " Boots," and shed his blood on the scaffold, in defence of the See of Eome. It is the touchstone. There is no true religion, no real devotion, no charity, no Christianity, without love and filial obedience to the Pope of Eome, the Vicar of Jesus Christ.

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   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, this is where Dr. O'Hurley was put to death in 1584. He endured the torture of the boots and shed his blood on the scaffold in defence of the See of Rome. The author calls his suffering a touchstone of true faith.

7. Papers Seized and Ministry Concealed at Waterford

   Waterford · city · Waterford · 1583

   O'Hurley sent his papers, bulls, and baggage to Waterford by a Wexford merchant, but the ship was intercepted by pirates and the documents seized, later used as evidence against him. Meanwhile he stayed concealed in the house of a devoted Catholic in the city, secretly exercising his priestly functions.

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   missionary proceeded to Waterford to secure his papers and baggage. The merchant's ship to Waterford fell in with pirates ; the bulls, papers, and baggage were seized, and afterwards used in evidence against him at the Castle. In this city he remained some time, concealed in the house of a devoted Catholic, and exercised all the functions of his sacred ministry.

   At Waterford, Father Dillon was recognised by a Government official, named Walter Baal, a spy, was arrested and cast into prison ; Dr. O'Hurley succeeded to evade the spy, left the city in the dark of midnight, and proceeded to the castle of a friendly nobleman, the Baron of Slane, whose wife, Catherine Preston, received him most kindly, and concealed him for some days in a secret chamber.

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8. Concealment and Discovery at Slane Castle

   Slane · townland · Meath · 1583

   Fleeing Waterford by night, O'Hurley took refuge at Slane Castle where Catherine Preston, wife of the Baron of Slane, hid him. His growing confidence in appearing at the public table aroused the suspicion of a visiting Chancellor, leading the authorities to order his capture.

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   " Dr. O'Hurley fled to the Castle of Slane, where he was kindly received by Catherine Preston, the wife of Lord Slane. At first he dared not leave his own room ; but, growing more confident by degrees, he appeared at the public table, and dined even with strangers. One day the Chancellor, Eobert

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   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here at Slane Castle in 1583, Catherine Preston, wife of the Baron of Slane, took in the fleeing Archbishop O'Hurley. He stayed hidden in his room at first, then grew bold enough to dine at the public table with strangers. A visiting Chancellor spotted him, and the authorities ordered his capture.

9. Father Dillon Arrested by a Government Spy at Waterford

   Waterford · city · Waterford · 1583

   Dr. O'Hurley's chaplain, Father Dillon, was recognised in Waterford by government spy Walter Baal, arrested, and cast into a dungeon for four months before securing his release through his brother's influence.

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   At Waterford, Father Dillon was recognised by a Government official, named Walter Baal, a spy, was arrested and cast into prison ; Dr. O'Hurley succeeded to evade the spy, left the city in the dark of midnight, and proceeded to the castle of a friendly nobleman, the Baron of Slane, whose wife, Catherine Preston, received him most kindly, and concealed him for some days in a secret chamber.

   A biographer gives the following interesting details of his stay and discovery at Slane : —

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10. O'Hurley's Deliberate Surrender at Carrick-on-Suir

    Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1583

    Drawing a parallel with Christ's Passion, the author describes how O'Hurley, having earlier fled to save others, ultimately freely delivered himself into the hands of the Government's officers at Carrick-on-Suir.

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    In this spirit, to save his friends, and to give his life and blood for the Church of Jesus Christ, our Prelate, at Carrick-on-Suir, freely delivered himself into the hands of the officers of the Government.

    The Gospel says, "the band and the tribune and the servants of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him. . . . And the men that held Him mocked Him and struck Him. And they blindfolded Him and smote His face." The historian says of Dr. O'Hurley at Carrick-on-Suir, " He was at once put in chains, and led off as a criminal to Kilkenny gaol." How like, in a sense, of the Apprehension of our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane !

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11. Secret Landing at Skerries

    Skerries · town · Dublin · 1583

    Travelling in disguise to avoid government spies, Dr. O'Hurley and his chaplain Father Dillon secretly landed at Skerries near Drogheda, a site noted as also sanctified by St. Patrick's first landing in Ireland.

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    We cannot fix for certain the precise date of the Archbishop's arrival in Ireland ; but from State Papers we find the authorities in full pursuit of him in the year 1583. Dr. O'Hurley sent his papers, bulls, and baggage to Waterford by a Wexford merchant. Himself and his faithful chaplain, Father Dillon, put on every disguise, travelled by secret and hidden routes, to avoid the spies and detectives that dogged the footsteps of every stranger, and secretly and safely landed at Skerries, near Drogheda. »A singular fact that Skerries was sanctified by the footsteps of St Patrick on his first landing in Ireland. After a short stay in Skerries, our holy

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12. Imprisonment in Kilkenny Gaol

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1583

    Following his arrest at Carrick-on-Suir, O'Hurley was put in chains and led as a criminal to Kilkenny gaol, where, through the influence of the powerful Ormond family, citizens obtained permission to visit him and receive the sacraments.

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    The Gospel says, "the band and the tribune and the servants of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him. . . . And the men that held Him mocked Him and struck Him. And they blindfolded Him and smote His face." The historian says of Dr. O'Hurley at Carrick-on-Suir, " He was at once put in chains, and led off as a criminal to Kilkenny gaol." How like, in a sense, of the Apprehension of our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane !

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13. First Ministry in His Own Diocese at Holycross Abbey

    Holycross · townland · Tipperary · 1583

    After hardships travelling through Cavan and Longford, O'Hurley arrived at Holycross, setting foot for the first time in his own diocese, where he prayed at the shrine and administered sacraments including Confirmation to the faithful who flocked to him.

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    Our holy Archbishop spent some days in prayer at the holy shrine. The knowledge of his presence spread about, and the faithful people flocked to the Abbey to get the blessing of their Prelate. He animated their faith by words of consolation, inspired them with new courage to cling to the old faith and detest the new heresy. He administered the sacraments, especially of Confirmation, to many.

    Father Dillon deserves a parting word. He was the faithful chaplain to our Archbishop; he was the confidant of his heart, the partner of his perils, sorrows, nay, joys. The holy priest was recognised by the wretched spy, Walter Baal, in Waterford, arrested, loaded with chains, and cast into prison. He spent four months in a hideous dungeon. Finally the holy priest obtained his liberty through the secret influence of his brother, who was Chief Baron of the Exchequer.

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14. Birth of Dermod O'Hurley near Limerick

    Knockea · townland · Limerick · 1519

    Dermod (David) O'Hurley was born in 1519 in the now-vanished village of Lycodoon in the parish of Knockea, three miles from Limerick city, son of an agent to the Earl of Desmond. Only the ruins of an old Norman castle mark the site today.

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    David O'Hurley was born in the year 1519, in a small village called Lycodoou, in the parish of Knockea, three miles from the city of Limerick. The village no longer exists. The ruins of an old Norman castle mark the spot ; but the parish still bears the same name. 1

    His father, William O'Hurley, belonged to a respectable family, farmed extensive property, and was agent to the Earl of Desmond, one of the most powerful chiefs in Munster. His mother, Honora O'Brien, was

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15. St. Comgall's Monastery at Bangor and Its Hundred Foundations

    near Bangor · town · Down

    St. Bernard described the monastery of St. Comgall as a noble and sanctified place, so fruitful that one of its monks, Luanus, was credited with founding a hundred monasteries himself. Its disciples spread beyond Ireland and Scotland into foreign lands.

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    Of the monastery and school of St. Comgall, St. Bernard writes: "A very noble monastery, and head of several others : a place truly sanctified, abounding in Saints, abundantly fruitful to God ; so much so that one of the religious of this holy congregation, named Luanus, was said to be the founder of an hundred monasteries. Its disciples not only filled Ireland and Scotland, but swarms of its Saints spread themselves over foreign countries ; one of whom, St. Columbanus, coming to our shores of Gaul, founded the monastery of LuxeuiL"

    Camden bears glorious testimony to our 1 Green Sketches.

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16. St. Finnian's Renowned School at Clonard

    Clonard · town · Meath

    St. Finnian founded a great school at Clonard whose fame for sacred learning and religious rule drew illustrious scholars from many parts of the world, according to his biographer.

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    The biographer of St. Firinian, the founder of the great school at Clonard, writes : " Like the sun in the firmament, he enlightened the world by the rays of his virtues, of salutary doctrine and miracles : for the fame of his good works invited many illustrious men from divers parts of the world to his school, as to a holy repository of all wisdom, partly to study the sacred Scriptures, and partly to be instructed in the rule of the religious life."

    Of the monastery and school of St. Comgall, St. Bernard writes: "A very noble monastery, and head of several others : a place truly sanctified, abounding in Saints, abundantly fruitful to God ; so much so that one of the religious of this holy congregation, named Luanus, was said to be the founder of an hundred monasteries. Its disciples not only filled Ireland and Scotland, but swarms of its Saints spread themselves over foreign countries ; one of whom, St. Columbanus, coming to our shores of Gaul, founded the monastery of LuxeuiL"

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17. Appointment as Archbishop of Cashel

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1581

    With the see of Cashel vacant following the death of Dr. M'Gibbon, and Dr. O'Hurley in Rome, Pope Gregory XIII appointed him Archbishop of Cashel at a Consistory on 11 September 1581, consecrating him and later granting him the Pallium.

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    The Divine Providence of God makes use of the ministry of men, as the channels of His graces, for the propagation of the Gospel and the salvation of souls. At all times, but especially in days of persecution, and on eventful appointments, the Holy See, the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, is assisted by the Spirit of God in the selection of her chief pastors. About filling up of the vacant See there was neither delay nor doubt. At a Consistory, held on the 11th of September 1581, by Pope Gregory XIII, Dr. O'Hurley was appointed Archbishop of Cashel, was consecrated in Eome, and on the 27th of November, the same year, received the Pallium in person.

    Our new Archbishop was fully aware of the dangers of his new mission. He appeared to have a presentiment of the sufferings, the life and death, the crown of martyrdom, that awaited him in his native country ; and hence remained in Rome for some six or

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    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1581, Dr. O'Hurley was appointed Archbishop of Cashel. The see had fallen vacant after the death of Dr. M'Gibbon, and with O'Hurley in Rome, Pope Gregory XIII named him to the post at a Consistory on 11 September 1581. He was consecrated in Rome and received the Pallium in person on 27 November of the same year. He knew the dangers of the mission before him and seemed to sense the suffering and martyrdom that awaited him in his native country, so he remained in Rome for some time after.

18. O'Hurley's arrest on the banks of the Suir

    near River Suir · river · Kilkenny · 1584

    The text notes that Dr. O'Hurley was arrested for the faith on the banks of the Suir, a key biographical episode in his path to martyrdom.

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    where he was born, on the Suir, where he was arrested for the faith, and on the Iiffey, where he shed his blood for Jesus Christ, he is unknown, and hence forgotten. God knows " the times and the seasons ; " and we pray and hope that our glorious martyr will soon receive the honours of the altar.

    We would love to linger over the glorious death of our great Archbishop. Oh, how we would love to imprint, and burn, and seal on every Irish heart the noble example he has left us. All the honours, dignities, and wealth at the disposal of the mighty Queen Elizabeth were put before his eyes to tempt his faith. With courage and fortitude equal to the occasion, he spurned the gifts of the tempter. He kissed and embraced the gridiron on which he was being roasted and broiled alive ; and then with an unfaltering step, and a heart big and beaming with the love of God, mounted the scaffold ; and from a rope of twigs dangled in mid-air, till his pure, noble soul was loosed from the tenement of his body, and winged her flight straight to the embrace of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Paradise.

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    As the companion tells it

    The River Suir runs through this part of Kilkenny. In 1584, on these banks, Dr. O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, was arrested for the faith. He was taken to Dublin, where Queen Elizabeth's offers of honour and wealth were put before him to tempt him, and he refused them all. The source says he kissed and embraced the gridiron on which he was roasted alive, then mounted the scaffold and was hanged from a rope of twigs on the Liffey. The book calls him a glorious martyr and prays he will soon receive the honours of the altar.

19. O'Hurley's birth on the banks of the Shannon

    Shannon · town · Clare

    The author reflects that Dr. O'Hurley was born on the banks of the Shannon, yet remains largely unknown and unhonoured in his native land despite his martyrdom.

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    On Dr. O'Hurley's brow in Paradise are the two crowns of martyrdom, the two palm branches in his hands, one the gridiron of St Lawrence, and the other the halter on the scaffold. Martyrs and Saints of all nations are honoured and invoked in Ireland, as they ought to be, for the Catholic Church is universal ; yet, strange to say, the name of our own great martyr is on no roll of fame. Abroad, the learned few knew something of him ; at home, on the banks of the Shannon,

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