Valentine’s Day is less than a month away now! A day to celebrate love, and Ireland has a very special connection with Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine’s remains are here in the Emerald Isle – at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin.
There are special masses held on Valentine’s Day at the Whitefriar church. Lovers (and tourists) can see the shrine of St. Valentine when first entering the church. Although on Valentine’s Day his remains are moved to the forefront of the altar. It seems to be a very romantic and memorable way to celebrate this day of love.
There are many stories, legends and historical mystery about the life and death of St. Valentine. One account says he was seen as a criminal in the eyes of the law for marrying Christian couples, winning him the title of the patron saint of lovers. Another account says he restored the sight of his jailers’ daughter and wrote her a letter on the eve of his death, signed “From your Valentine”
Ireland has to be one of the most romantic places in the world to spend Valentine’s Day! Take your lover to Tannaghmorre Gardens in Co. Armagh. This is home of the Kissing Gate. Legend says that couples who kiss over the gate will marry within a year. Another fun and romantic way to commemorate your love is to visit the Homestone Marriage Stone in Co. Antrim. It is an ancient rock with a mysterious hole. The legend behind this stone is that if a woman puts her hand through the hole in the stone and her partner takes it on the other side, they are making an eternal pledge to each other.
This sterling silver pendant is the perfect way to show your love on Valentine’s Day – Irish style! A beautiful, sterling silver domed pendant on a belcher chain, inscribed with the words “A stor” (pronounced: a-store) and hand engraved in Ogham. Ogham (pronounced o-gam) is an early medieval alphabet used primarily to write the old Irish Language, and is dated back to the 4th century AD.
There is nothing half so sweet in life as love’s young dreams – Thomas Moore (1779-1852)
