Dublin Badges

These are Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage (Lourdes) Enamel Badges from 1955 and 1956, issued to pilgrims and officials during the annual diocesan pilgrimages led under Archbishop John Charles McQuaid.

​Design / Heraldry:

​The central shield depicts the Coat of Arms of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin:

​Left: The Archiepiscopal cross / Pallium (symbol of metropolitan archbishop status).

​Right: The standing figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus.

​Deep royal blue enamel ground with gilt lettering reading DUBLIN and the pilgrimage year (1955 and 1956).

​Origin / Context: Dublin, Ireland. These dated pin-badges were struck annually in limited batches for registered pilgrims, helpers, and hospitalité members travelling on the Dublin chartered pilgrimage trains and flights to Lourdes