The largest event in the year at the Marian Shrine at Knock has been cancelled due to Covid 19 precautions.
Over 20,000 people normally attend the grounds on the Feast Day of the Assumption this Saturday, with many walking to county Mayo for the event, which begins with confessions at 5am, and the first mass at 6 o' clock.
After discussions with church and State bodies, it was decided the shrine did not have the resources to deal with the large numbers of people expected particularily due to the escalation of the virus around the country.
Rector of the Shrine Fr Richard Gibbons says the entire grounds will be closed for the day of the 15th August only but masses will be streamed live online.
He told today's Let's Talk that they were left with very little choice and it was heartbreaking.
