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Irish Gifts of Love

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Paris might be known as the city of love, but Dublin has something it doesn’t. St. Valentine himself might not have visited Ireland, but his heart is in Dublin’s Whitefriar Church. Literally.

View of the interior of Whitefriar Church, Dublin, Ireland

Valentine was an Italian bishop who got in trouble with Roman authorities for officiating weddings for Christian couples. At the time, Emperor Claudius the Cruel decreed that young men could not marry. He felt it made them poor soldiers, and he wanted them to go off to war. Valentine clearly felt that love was a better choice than war, so he continued to marry young Christian couples. Eventually, he was executed for it on the 14th of February in  270 AD.

Many centuries later, an Irish priest by the name of John Spratt visited a very different Rome to the one Valentine knew. He was warmly welcomed by Pope Gregory in 1835. The pope was so pleased with Spratt’s work in Dublin, including building a new church in the city centre, that he presented him with a precious relic of the beloved Saint Valentine – his heart. 

Casket housing the relic of St. Valentine's Heart in Whitefriar Church, Dublin

St. Valentine’s heart has been housed in Dublin’s Whitefriar Church ever since, and it has become a popular destination for engaged couples to visit and pray. It’s more subtle than the Eiffel Tower, but it’s strong evidence that Dublin is a very romantic city. That’s one of many reasons Irish gifts are perfect for your special someone on Valentine’s Day.

Why Is Dublin a Romantic City?

Water is widely considered a symbol of our emotions. A walk on the beach is a classically romantic outing, and we often describe our feelings by comparing them to water such as a storm or a calm lake. Dublin offers both the beach and a river. It’s easy to forget when you are in the city centre, but Dublin is on the Irish Sea. The suburbs feature lovely beaches popular for having picnics, taking  romantic strolls and watching the sun rise. The River Liffey flows through the centre of the city on its way to Dublin Bay. It’s crisscrossed with beautiful bridges, some of which feature on a variety of Irish gifts.

A view of Dublin Bay from Killiney Hill

While Dublin would be an ideal place to propose to your beloved, it’s not exactly convenient for people living far from Ireland. Even if you can’t make it to Ireland to pop the question, you can bring a bit of Ireland to your proposal. Irish engagement rings feature beautiful, deeply symbolic motifs.

Flannait 14k Yellow Gold 1ct Diamond Solitaire Celtic Trinity Knot Ring

Irish Engagement Rings

The Claddagh design uses the heart to symbolise love, the hands for friendship and the crown for loyalty. The triple spiral is made of one unbroken line, which represents eternity. The three loops also symbolise the past, present and future and the endless connection between generations – children, parents and grandparents. 

Ladies 14k Gold Emerald and Diamond Encrusted Claddagh Ring on a dark green background

Perhaps it isn’t time to propose. If you are looking for romantic Irish gifts for St. Valentines Day for your spouse or someone you’re dating but not ready to marry, a pair of earrings or cufflinks or a necklace featuring these gorgeous Irish designs might be perfect.

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