SCORES of parishioners at a Catholic church in Co Antrim marked the beginning of Lent in the traditional way yesterday despite the difficulties created by the Covid pandemic.
Ashes were administered during a 'drive-thru' at the car park of Mater Dei Church in Crumlin by Glenavy and Killead parish priest Fr Colm McBride.
It was among a number of innovative ways that were found to mark the start of Lent with the traditional ash cross on the forehead.
Churches have been subject to restrictions designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus since late December.
In Crumlin, there were two 'drive thru' sessions, one in the morning and one yesterday evening.
Fr McBride ensured that in order to observe medical guidelines and keep everybody safe, ashes were administered only to people arriving by car and wearing a mask.
In Carlow Cathedral, a steady stream of parishioners of all ages collected envelopes containing ash.
While the church doors remain closed, hundreds of thousands of members of the Catholic faith watched online Mass services to mark the holy day.
Dublin woman Maria Corcoran made her own ashes after burning blessed straw she kept since Christmas.
As the 35-year-old from Finglas was not able to travel beyond the 5km limit, Ms Corcoran and her six-year-old niece Annalee got creative with holy straw.
"We simply put it in a steel tin and burnt it, added some holy water and used the ashes from that," Ms Corcoran said.
"It wasn't too bad, it was different and it wasn't the same as going to mass and getting a blessing."
