Whitefriar Street Church

Tucked away on Aungier Street, Whitefriar Street Church holds a secret that draws romantics from around the world. Whitefriar Street Church isn’t just any church. It’s the final resting place of St. Valentine. In the 1830s, during renovations to St. Valentine’s tomb in Rome, the saint’s remains were rediscovered. Some of these relics were gifted to an Irish Carmelite priest, Fr. John Spratt, who brought them to Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin. They were installed in November 1836. This gift was a show of support from Pope Gregory XVI to the Catholics of Dublin who had endured a long period of oppression. Whitefriar Street Church itself stands on the site of a much older Carmelite priory, dating back to 1539. The current building was designed by George Papworth and completed in 1825. He also designed St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, showcasing his architectural prowess in Dublin. The church’s interior is a treasure trove of art and history. Among the many shrines within Whitefriar Street Church is a beautiful, life-sized statue of Our Lady of Dublin carved from black oak. This 12th-century Madonna and Child is a remarkable piece of art. It even predates the Reformation. Another notable shrine is dedicated to St. Albert of Sicily. It is said that water from St. Albert’s Well, when blessed with a relic of the saint, holds healing properties. Whitefriar Street Church isn’t simply a place of worship. It is a repository of history, faith, and a touch of romanticism, thanks to its most famous resident, Saint Valentine.