Programmes to Mark 400th Anniversary of St Oliver Plunkett BBC1 and RTE1 23 November 2025

To mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett and the 50th anniversary of his canonisation, RTÉ Television and BBC NI Television will each broadcast a programme on Sunday 23 November 2025. 

10.55 am RTÉ 1 Mass
Canon Eugene Sweeney celebrates Mass in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda, with the global premiere of a specially composed Mass of the Bells by Irish composer, Michael Holohan.
11.30 am BBC 1 Prayer and Reflection
We join the faithful gathered at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Armagh, for a special evening prayer service to mark the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of St Oliver Plunkett. The service is led by Archbishop Eamon Martin.
Armagh holds a deep spiritual connection to St Oliver Plunkett, who served as Archbishop there in the 17th century. The cathedral, standing on its historic hill, provides a fitting setting for this moment of remembrance and thanksgiving.