On Easter Sunday a dawn Mass was held at a Mass rock on Achill Island for the first time in living memory. Public worship is currently banned under the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

Local curate, Fr Gerard Quirke celebrated the liturgy at the site used during penal times when priests risked imprisonment or death for saying mass publicly.

The action recalled Easter Sunday in 433 when St Patrick lit a Paschal Fire on the Hill of Tara in defiance of the High King of Ireland.

In his homily, which was broadcast online, Fr Quirke prayed for the coming of the day when believers would again sing the praises of God in churches.