Saint Laurence
Saint Laurence (also written Lawrence; born c. 1128 AD in Eu, Normandy, France; died November 14, 1180 AD in Eu, Normandy, France) was the Archbishop of Dublin from 1162 to 1180 and is the patron saint of Dublin. Born Lorcán Ua Tuathail (Laurence O'Toole), he was a key figure in the Norman invasion period of Ireland, serving as a peacemaker between the native Irish and the Normans. He died at Eu in Normandy while returning from negotiations with Henry II of England and was buried there. He was canonized in 1225. His feast day is November 14.
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| Saint Laurence | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 14 |
| Profession | Archbishop; abbot; papal legate; peacemaker |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Archbishop of Dublin; Augustinian Canon Regular (adopted Augustinian Rule for his cathedral chapter); patron of Dublin |
| Patronage | Dublin; Archdiocese of Dublin; Ireland; peacemakers; those negotiating between warring parties; those who die abroad in service of their country |
| Attributes | Archbishop's vestments; pastoral staff and mitre; heart relic (Christ Church Cathedral); Glendalough setting; Norman and Irish elements together |
| Birthplace | Castledermot (or Mullaghmast), County Kildare, Ireland |
| Death Place | Eu, Normandy, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; he collapsed at Eu in Normandy on November 14, 1180, while returning from negotiations with King Henry II of England on behalf of the Irish, and died there |
| Primary Shrine | Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin — his heart relic in an iron heart-shaped reliquary; one of the most venerated relics in Ireland; Christ Church is Church of Ireland but welcomes Catholic pilgrims; Collegiate Church of Saint Lawrence, Eu, Normandy, France — his tomb and head relic; both shrines are regularly visited by pilgrims |
| Liturgical Class | Feast in Ireland; Optional Memorial elsewhere; November 14 |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Ireland and France (Eu) |
Biography
Lorcán Ua Tuathail (in Latin and English, Laurence O'Toole) was born around 1128 near Castledermot in County Kildare. As a young child he was taken as a political hostage by King Diarmait Mac Murchada of Leinster and entrusted to the Bishop of Glendalough. He entered monastic life there and eventually became abbot of the famous monastery.
In 1162 he was appointed the first native Irish Archbishop of Dublin. He ruled the see during one of the most difficult periods in Irish history: the Norman invasion of 1169–1171, the arrival of King Henry II, and the complex years of settlement and conflict that followed. He served as a peacemaker between the invaders and the native Irish and attended the Third Lateran Council in Rome (1179).
Pope Alexander III made him a papal legate. He traveled to negotiate with King Henry II of England, who was in Normandy. He fell ill at Eu and died on November 14, 1180.
He was buried at the Collegiate Church of Our Lady and Saint Lawrence at Eu. His heart relic was brought to Dublin and preserved at Christ Church Cathedral. Pope Honorius III canonized him in 1225.
His heart relic was famously stolen from Christ Church Cathedral in 2012 but recovered by Irish police in 2018.
Significant locations
Legend
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Death location: None
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Laurence have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint of the Day: August 10th - Saint Laurence | 5–15 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
| Saint of the Day: November 14th - Saint Laurence of Dublin | 5–15 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin — heart relic in heart-shaped iron reliquary; primary shrine in Ireland.
- Collegiate Church of Saint Lawrence, Eu, Normandy, France — his tomb and head relic.
Feast day
November 14
Veneration
Saint Laurence (Lorcán Ua Tuathail / Laurence O'Toole) is the patron of Dublin and one of Ireland's most important medieval saints. He was canonized in 1225.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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