Saturday, July 09, 2011

Iron mayhem

An unholy row has broken out between the Catholic Church and the organisers of one of the biggest international sporting events staged in the city. 

The International Ironman Triathlon will take place in Galway in September, when over 2,500 athletes from 30 countries participate in a competition, which will have a global television audience.
It is anticipated that another 5,000 people will accompany the elite athletes, while thousands of spectators are expected to line the route for an event that is estimated to be worth about €5 million to the local economy. 
But the Catholic Church has objected to the closure of roads for the event, which, they say, will prevent many elderly people being able to attend Mass.
It is expected that roads will be closed for around five days for the event, which takes place on Sunday 4 September. 

Churches in the Salthill and surrounding areas have been informed by the Diocesan Secretary, Fr Martin Whelan, that the proposed road closures were going ahead despite their objections to the local authorities.

The biggest impact will be in Salthill but the Claddagh and outlining areas, such as Barna and Moycullen, will also have road closures. 

In a letter to parishioners at the weekend, Saltill Parish Priest Fr Gerry Jennings said that, unless people were able to walk half a mile, they would not be able to use Salthill Church for Mass on Sunday, 4 September between 7am and 5pm.

“I have contacted the city council objecting to the level of disruption and have spoken to the local Ironman organiser asking for a review or compromise and have been rebuffed. There would be no consultation or compromise. Those parishioners, who through infirmity or old age, normally need transport to come to Mass will be unable to come to Mass in Salthill on that Sunday,” said Fr Jennings.

He said that the churches in Barna and the Claddagh would also be affected and that the efforts by the Diocesan Office, on behalf of the Bishop of Galway Martin Drennan, also fell on deaf ears. 

“For the first time in over 70 years, vehicular access to the church is denied by the civic authorities. The holding of a major sporting event on a Sunday morning, the net effect of which is to deny infirm and elderly people the right to worship, is a major departure for our country. The disruption to the lives of the locals on 4 September next will be major. It's a different Ireland,” added Fr Jennings. 

Galway City Council confirmed that it has received submissions from the church authorities. 

“Events like this do cause disruption, but we try to keep it to a minimum. We have given a preliminary response to some of the churches and priests and we will be in contact to try to ensure the disruption on the day is minimised,” said the Galway City Council spokesperson.