An Ash Wednesday ‘drive-through’ at a church in Ireland proved very popular with busy commuters. Queues of drivers waited to receive ceremonial ashes on their foreheads at St Patrick’s Church in Glenmaddy, County Galway, during the busy morning rush hour. Father Paddy Mooney said the idea of the drive-through blessing was to help people unable to attend Mass. It targeted the sick, those with difficulty walking, people going to work, or families on their way to school. A driveway for Catholics marking the start of the Lent season led right past the front door of the church. Father Mooney and others stood outside and leaned through car windows to placed an ash cross on each occupant’s forehead. Parish secretary Breda Keaveney said: ‘It was so reverent and so respectful. There was just a wonderful atmosphere.’