Episode 1311: The 17 Irish Martyrs

On June 20th, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of several saints and martyrs who are collectively known as the "Irish Martyrs" or the "Martyrs of Ireland." These individuals were executed for their Catholic faith during the period of religious persecution in Ireland, which occurred from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

The Irish Martyrs include a larger group of individuals, and while there is no fixed number, it is believed that there were hundreds of Catholic priests, bishops, religious, and laypeople who were martyred for their faith during this time. They were targeted due to their refusal to renounce their Catholic beliefs and to conform to the religious policies of the ruling Protestant authorities.

The feast day on June 20th commemorates the sacrifice and witness of these Irish Martyrs who remained faithful to their Catholic faith, even in the face of persecution and death. It is a day to remember their courage and to honor their commitment to their religious convictions.
Here is a list of some notable Irish Martyrs recognized by the Catholic Church:

St. Oliver Plunkett
St. Edmund Ignatius Rice
St. Oliver of Muckross
St. Patrick O'Healy
St. Terence Albert O'Brien
St. Dermot O'Hurley
St. Charles Mahoney
St. John Kearney
St. Matthew Lambert
St. Patrick O'Loughran
St. Peter O' Higgins
St. Philip Powell
St. Richard Reynolds
St. William Richardson
St. Nicholas Tichborne
St. Thomas Percy
St. Nicholas Garlick
St. Robert Ludlam
St. John Jones
St. John Plessington
Please note that this list includes some prominent figures among the Irish Martyrs, but it is not an exhaustive list, as there were many more individuals who suffered martyrdom during that period. The Catholic Church recognizes and honors all those who were martyred for their Catholic faith in Ireland.