Frs. Bernard and Laurence O’Ferall OP were praying in the chapel of their monastery early in the morning during 1651 in Longford.
English soldiers arrived and seeing the men in prayer, they attacked Fr. Bernard and brutally killed him.
Fr. Laurence, however, was taken to the Governor, who ordered his hanging in the public square, as a warning to other Catholics.
When his execution came three days later, Fr. Laurence spoke passionately to the Catholics in attendance, telling them not to be afraid as Our Lord was not afraid. He then spoke against the heretics who were having him hung, instructing the Catholics not to allow themselves to give in to their intimidation.
The Governor had heard enough and told the soldiers to hang the Dominican Priest immediately.
But before he was hung, he put his Rosary around his neck and after he had been thrown off, grabbed it and lifted it up as he went to his martyrdom.
The governor was moved and allowed him to have a respectful funeral after seeing this display of faith.
You can read more stories like this in the book Our Martyrs by Fr. Dennis Murphy SJ available from Aid to the Church in Need here.