Covid has taken its toll on Knock Shrine as its world famous Novena is to be postponed because of the virus.
The annual Knock celebration sees around 150,000 visitors flock to the shrine outside the small Mayo town.
Organisers considered the risk would be too great to have so many people from so many different places gather together while Covid is still so widespread.
Knock Parish Priest, Father Richard Gibbon, said: “We have taken this difficult decision in the interest of the health and safety of our pilgrims and staff here at the Shrine.
“Given the recent concern from both government and health agencies regarding the Delta variant of the coronavirus, the responsible course of action is to postpone the National Novena at this time.”
Father Richard added: “it is vital that we allow the national vaccination programme to proceed across all age groups.
“Once we can safely gather again at Knock Shrine a full programme will be announced for the Novena to take place later in the year.”
In the sporting sphere, there was a blow for runners today as the Dublin City Marathon has been called off for the second year in a row.
There will be a ‘virtual’ marathon run in its place.
