Our Lady of Graces

The Dominican Priory of North Abbey, Youghal (founded in 1268) was initially dedicated to the Holy Cross. Later, following the discovery of a small ivory statue of the Madonna and Child, blessings and graces generously distributed by the Mother of God prompted the religious to change the name of the priory to Our Lady of Graces. The statue made Youghal the center of Marian devotion for several centuries, but this ended after the priory was dissolved during the dark days of persecution in the 16th century. The statue can now be found in the Saint Mary's Dominican Priory in Cork City, Ireland. According to local tradition, a piece of wood brought in by the tide was found on the bank near the town of Youghal, Ireland. The piece of wood proved to be so heavy that ten horses were unable to move it. Eventually the rising tide dislodged it and religious from the Dominican Priory of North Abbey brought it to their cloister. During the night, the prior had a strange dream in which he was told that a statue of the Madonna and Child was concealed in the piece of wood. The statue was subsequently found and was reverently enshrined. It became the object of special devotion to the faithful, who flocked from all parts of Ireland to venerate it. It is reported that from the time of the statue's discovery, miraculous powers have been uninterruptedly ascribed to Our Lady of Graces. The Irish people made pilgrimages to the priory as long as it was possible.