Ash and dash at drive-thru West Cork church 

Parishioners can drive through the surrounds of the Immaculate Church in Clonakilty to collect their ashes in envelopes from an outdoor stand

Monsignor Aidan O'Driscoll with Orla and Adhran Scully and Rachel Collins at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty, preparing for the drive-through to hand out the Ash for Ash Wednesday. Picture: Denis Boyle

A West Cork church is organising a US-style Ash Wednesday 'drive-through' to allow its congregation collect the traditional blessed ashes in compliance with level 5 restrictions.

On Wednesday, February 17, parishioners can drive through the surrounds of the Immaculate Church in Clonakilty to collect their ashes in envelopes from a special outdoor stand in order to celebrate a traditional holy day which goes back some two thousand years.