Whitefriar Church

Whitefriar Street Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is a Roman Catholic church located on Aungier Street in Dublin, Ireland. The church has a rich history dating back to the 13th century when Carmelite friars first established a presence in Dublin.

The current church building was consecrated on November 11, 1827. It was designed by George Papworth and has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. The church is particularly famous for housing the relics of Saint Valentine, which were gifted to the church in 1835 by Pope Gregory XVI. These relics have made the church a popular pilgrimage site for those seeking blessings in matters of the heart.

The church also features a life-size oak statue of Our Lady of Dublin, dating back to the 15th century. This statue was hidden and preserved after the sacking of St. Mary’s Abbey in 1539.

Whitefriar Street Church continues to be a vibrant center of worship and community activities, including hosting concerts and recitals with its renowned Kenneth Jones pipe organ installed in 1983.

Relic of St Valentine

The heart of Saint Valentine is indeed a fascinating part of Whitefriar Street Church’s history.

In 1835, an Irish Carmelite priest named Father John Spratt was invited to preach at the Gesu Church in Rome. Impressed by his sermons, Pope Gregory XVI gifted him with some relics of Saint Valentine, including his heart. Father Spratt brought these relics back to Dublin and installed them in the Whitefriar Street Church in 1836.

The relics were initially placed in the sanctuary, but during renovations in the mid-20th century, they were rediscovered under the high altar. A shrine was then erected in 1956 to house the relics, and it has since become a popular pilgrimage site for those seeking blessings in matters of love and relationships.

Visitors to the shrine often leave notes, flowers, and other tokens of affection, making it a heartfelt destination, especially around Valentine’s Day.

Whitefriar Church is free to visit and open to public. I would recommend visiting the church after 4pm. There are mass happening throughout the day. The mass times are published outside the church. I find that the is open and quiet after 4pm.