Dublin should do more to cash in on the fact the body of St Valentine is kept in a city church, Fianna Fáil backbencher Mr Martin Brady has urged.
The Dublin North-East TD said tourist authorities should do more to highlight the presence of the saint's body and promote the city with a special trail of romance that could be signposted by pink heart-shaped signposts.
"We could rival Paris as one of the top cities for love and benefit from an increase in people seeking romantic holiday breaks," he said.
Every year on February 14th the reliquary of the saint is moved to the high altar in the Carmelite Fathers' Whitefriar Street church, and many turn up for services during the day.
The saint's relics have been in the possession of the Carmelite "White Friar" Fathers in Dublin since they were brought back from Rome in 1835. An Irish Carmelite priest was given the saint's remains as a personal gift by the then Pope Gregory XVI.
Brother PJ Breen of the Carmelites said they had special readings and prayers for the saint at seven masses during the day. "We get couples coming in right throughout the year. At the start of February the numbers coming in build up and we also bless rings for couples who are getting married".
The lead casket containing the relics has never been opened.
"The letter we have tells that the casket contains the body of St Valentine but it doesn't go into any more details than that. We are not told that we have the entire body and everything there is with it," Br Breen said.
AFP