Parents vote for Holy Communion over One D concert

Parents in Raheen Gaelscoil in Limerick have voted to hold next year's Holy Communion on May 24 - despite the fact that it clashes with a One Direction Concert.

Fans at the One D premiere

A row broke out among parents over the date of the sacrament - as some parents have bought tickets for the sold-out gig on that date.

However, other parents were said to be angry at the suggestion the ceremony be changed for a pop concert.

At a meeting at the Gaelscoil on Tuesday night - things became quite heated - when the parents of three children insisted the date be moved forward to May 3.

Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent, Ralph Riegel said that the cost of the concert for the parents involved is significant;

"For a lot of these families you are probably not just talking about tickets you are talking about hotels, travel up and down, meals."

However, other parents were upset at the suggestion.

"The view was that it was ultimately disrespectful to the Holy Communion, some parents felt that wasn't a good enough reason," said Mr Riegel.

Caitriona Curran from Catholic Comment said it is important families remember the importance of Holy Communion.

"Most importantly children realise this is a big occasion in their lives it is the day in which they receive Jesus sacramentally, a day that they will never forget," she said.

A spokesperson for Raheen Parish said that parents have now voted to keep the date of May 24.