Fr. John Kenny, P.P., Partry/Tourmakeady, blesses the road outside St. Mary's Church in Partry on Easter Sunday morning. Photo: Michael Donnelly

Blessing of roads ceremony

YESTERDAY (Easter Sunday) clerics in Co. Mayo blessed the county’s roads in a novel ceremony aimed at creating road safety awareness in a bid to reduce the number of people who die in traffic accidents each year.

A special Blessing of the Roads ceremony took place in many parishes at services throughout the county as religious leaders back the campaign to make the roads safer.

The ceremony was promoted by the Road Safety Office of Mayo County Council and supported by the emergency services. Some priests performed the blessing from the roadside while others did from from the altar.

Mayo road safety officer Noel Gibbons said the ceremonies have had a very enthusiastic response.