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23 Oct 2025

Memorial to be unveiled to Ireland's only Pope who hailed from from Laois

Memorial to be unveiled to Ireland's only Pope who hailed from from Laois

Durrow, the home of the Scarecrow Festival, set to unveil the plaque

A Laois native who its claimed was Ireland's first and only Pope is set to be immortalised in his native land and county in Durrow this summer.

The Durrow Development Forum, which runs the Scarecrow Festival, is sending out invitations to the official unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Saint Benedict of Durrow.

The community claims that legend has it, he became Pope and Bishop of Rome for two days – Ireland’s First Pope in the 5th Century.

Senator David Norris, who also has Laois roots in nearby Mountrath, will attend the unveiling which will take place in The Square, Durrow at 2pm, on Monday, August 7.

The Forum's source for the claim about Benedict being Pope is the Historical and Social Diary of Durrow, County Laois, 1708-1992 by Edward O’Brien published by Millfield Press in 1992.

It claims that a tale circulated among the people of the Aran Islands, recounting the "legend of a man from Durrow" who was born around 460 AD to Lugneay, the King of Ossory and rightful heir to the throne.

It said that as a young man, he departed from his home to study under St Fintan at Clonenagh, where he developed a deep friendship with Colmcille, a Prince of the Royal House of Ireland. After their ordination, both Benedict and Colmcille journeyed to the Monastery established by St Enda on Innishmore.

It claims that in 522, Benedict and Enda set off for Rome. During their time in the Eternal City, the reigning Holy Father, St. Hormisdus, passed away.

Impressed by Benedict’s devoutness, the elders chose him as the successor. He assumed the name Pope Pupeus. However, legend has it that the following day, as St. Enda bid him farewell, the emotional separation overwhelmed the newly elected Pontiff.

Without hesitation, he called upon the Church Elders once more and commanded another election to take place. On this occasion, Pope John the 1st was chosen.

St Enda and Benedict returned to Aran, where Benedict succeeded Enda as the Abbot following his death. They were laid to rest side by side in the now-ruined Cathedral of Aran. Both saints are celebrated on March 21st.

The Book of Cashel, which traces the lineage of the fourteen Saints of the Royal House of Ossory, refers to St. Benedict as ‘Ipse est Papa Pupeous,’ signifying his brief papal reign.

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