What if I told you this statue of the Virgin Mary in Dublin has survived a pig trough? It is an incredible journey for this statue. We are standing before the Shrine of Our Lady of Dublin. It is a testament to faith and resilience.
This is no ordinary statue. Our Lady of Dublin has a rich history. It dates back to the 15th or early 16th century. The life-sized figure is carved from oak. Originally, it was brightly painted. Traces of gold and blue were visible until the early 1900s.
The story begins at St. Mary’s Cistercian Abbey. The abbey stood on the north bank of the River Liffey. The statue was a cherished possession. English nobility and royal officials often visited the abbey. They admired the statue. It is thought that the statue’s style connects it to sculptures in Westminster Abbey.
The Reformation brought turmoil. In 1539, St. Mary’s Abbey was dissolved. Valuables were stripped away. The statue of Our Lady of Dublin suffered a great indignity. It was used as a pig trough in an inn yard. The statue was laid face down. The hollowed back served as a makeshift trough.
But the story does not end there. An account from 1749 mentions the statue. It was then in a chapel in Mary’s Lane. This suggests it was rescued. It had a place of honor once again.
The statue then disappeared. It resurfaced in a second-hand shop on Capel Street. Father Spratt of Whitefriars recognized its value in 1824. He bought it for a small sum. He placed it in the new Whitefriars church.
In 1915, the statue was cleaned. The whitewash was removed. Sadly, the original paint also came off. A new marble shrine was erected. Our Lady of Dublin finally had a fitting home.
The statue holds a special feast day. Every September 8, people celebrate Our Lady of Dublin.
Baby Jesus holds a pomegranate. The pomegranate is an ancient symbol. It represents goddesses. Judaism and Christianity adopted it. It symbolizes righteousness. Some scholars think it was the forbidden fruit in Eden.
The statue has undergone restoration. The extended arm of the Child is a modern addition. Despite its trials, the statue remains a symbol of hope.
The gold crown of the statue has its own tale. It may have been used in the coronation of Lambert Simnel. He was an impostor to the English throne.
The story of Our Lady of Dublin is a journey through time. From abbey to pig trough to shrine. It reflects the enduring power of faith. It shows the resilience of a city. Take a moment to reflect on this remarkable statue. Consider its long and eventful history.