Oldcastle —County Meath

Oldcastle is the 18th-century creation of the Napier family who had received parts of the Plunkett estate following the Cromwellian wars. St. Oliver Plunkett, a 17th-century Archbishop of Armagh who was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn in 1681 on false charges, was the most famous scion of this family. Often styled 'the last of Ireland's martyrs', he was canonised by the Vatican in 1975. Oldcastle is home to some cosy and welcoming hostelries and also offers good accommodation and restaurants.