Sculpting a Saint
July 9, 2026 marks the 357th anniversary of St. Oliver Plunkett’s appointment as Archbishop of Armagh. St Oliver was the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He maintained his duties in Ireland in the face of persecution and was eventually arrested and tried for treason in London.
He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on July 1, 1681, and became the last Catholic martyr to die in England. Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised by St Pope Paul VI in 1975, and became the first new Irish saint for almost 700 years.
To commemorate the anniversary of his appointment in Armagh, we revisit this episode from the RNN archive, in which Conor Deane speaks with renowned Irish sculptor Dony MacManus. Dony was commissioned to create a bronze statue of St. Oliver Plunkett depicting the saint in the final moments of his earthly life. The statue was unveiled in St Peter’s church in Drogheda in 2017.
In the interview, Dony reflects on the commission and the artistic process behind the sculpture. He shares how developing a personal connection with St. Oliver Plunkett was central to his work, explaining that he immersed himself in the saint’s life through reading and contemplation in order to capture his true spirit. For Dony, a meaningful connection between the artist and the subject is essential if a work is to have authenticity and impact.
He also recalls the emotion and significance of the statue’s unveiling, describing it as a truly momentous occasion.
Click here » to listen to the interview.
