(From Bruodin’s Propugnaculum, p. 439)

DANIEL ONEILAN, born in Thomond of a noble family, consecrated himself to God by vows in the Order of St. Francis in the year 1560, and he lived in it for twenty years, both in Ireland and Spain. 

During this time he made great progress both in virtue and in learning, so that he was the model of a good religious to all. 

Urged by zeal for the salvation of souls, he returned to his native country which was then ravaged by the fury of the heretics.

Immediately on landing at the port of Youghal, he was seized by William Morgan, the Governor of the town, and closely questioned. 

Daniel openly and fearlessly declared that he was a priest and a member of the Seraphic Order. 

When the cruel tyrant heard this, without any process of law, he directed that Father Daniel’s hands should be tied behind his back, and then ordered him to be scourged, and salt and vinegar to be put into the wounds made on the skin by the lash. 

At last the tyrants seeing Neilan’s courage, for he prayed without ceasing for himself and his persecutors, and despairing of changing his purpose, since he refused the honours offered to him if he would join with the heretics, ordered this brave champion of Christ to be hanged from the vane of a wind-mill with his head down, like Peter, the prince of the Apostles, and to be shot at till his whole body was pierced through with balls. 

By such a martyrdom Daniel earned for himself a glorious crown in heaven. 

He suffered at Youghal, in Munster, March 28th 1580.

See also Holing, Fitzsimon, Rothe, Copinger, O’Sullevan, Molanus, Ward, Wadding, and Hueber.

Please pray for final perseverance for all of us!
May the martyrs of old inspire us all.