Our Lady of Dublin, Medieval Madonna statue in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church, Ireland
Our Lady of Dublin is a life-sized oak carving that depicts the Madonna and Child, standing in a specially built shrine near the high altar of Whitefriar Street Church. The statue occupies a place of honor within the church's interior, where it can be easily accessed by visitors throughout the day.
The first documented record of this carving appears in a 1749 survey of Dublin's Catholic places of worship, though its creation may date much earlier to a medieval religious community. It later became lost but was recovered in the 1800s, leading to its restoration and permanent installation in its current location.
The statue serves as a focus for prayer and devotion, with visitors regularly lighting candles and spending time in quiet reflection before it. It holds deep meaning for Irish Catholics who view it as representing maternal protection and spiritual comfort.
The shrine is located inside Whitefriar Street Church in downtown Dublin and is easily accessible to visitors during opening hours. It helps to check visiting times in advance since the building is an active place of worship where services take place regularly.
The carving disappeared for centuries before being found again by chance in the early 1800s, which sparked a revival of interest in its preservation. This rediscovery transformed it from a forgotten object into a treasured spiritual symbol that attracts visitors seeking connection and reflection.
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