Restrictions on mass goers as fears rise
THE Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on St Patrick’s Day celebrations in County Wicklow with all parades due to take place on March 17 now cancelled.
On Monday Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed that all St Patrick’s Day parades across the county were to be cancelled, but organisers of some local parades had already taken the decision themselves not to host parades this year for fear of spreading Covid-19.
The Wicklow Town St Patrick’s Day Committee opted to halt proceedings following a meeting on Monday morning, confirmed Chairperson Claire Gallagher.
‘We decided to cancel the parade in the interest of public health and safety. It’s with heavy hearts we came to the decision but we think it is the right choice. We did not make this decision lightly and apologise to all the community groups who have registered for this year’s parade, but it’s the right course of action to take and is in the best interest of the public,’ said Claire.
The record-breaking bid for the most amount of people dressed up as lions in the one location, which was also due to take place on St Patrick’s Day in Wicklow town, has been postponed to a date later this year which has still yet to be decided. Up to 300 children and adults were expected to take part in the Guinness Book of World Records attempt.
Wicklow Drama Group have also postponed their production of ‘Cupid Worse Skirts’ which was due to take place later in March.
All mass services at St Patrick’s Parish in Wicklow town and Rathnew were still due to go ahead at the time of going to press, though Fr Donal Roche acknowledged that could soon change.
‘Nothing has been cancelled yet but things remain quite uncertain,’ confirmed Fr Roche.
‘We are waiting on headquarters to get back to us with a decision, but as it stands, we are still going ahead with all mass services. There is no hand shaking allowed at the services and all the holy water fonts have been emptied. We have also cancelled the parish bingo and the Active Retirement group because of the age profile of those involved. At the moment all confirmations and communions are still planned to go ahead as well,’ said Fr Roche.