Editor of religious programmes in RTE, father Dermod McCarthy, said Limerick was chosen because " the city has been going through its own calvary in the past year."

The holy week and easter ceremonies on RTE one and network two will be centred on the magnificently restored cathedral. Where the principal celebrant will be Bishop Donal Murray.

A major feature of the ceremonies will be a paschal fire which will be lit in a pedestrianised area near Penneys on the morning of Holy Saturday.

Burning brands from this fire will be taken at sunset that evening in procession- one to St,Johns Cathedral and another to St.Marys Cathedral to mark the start of the Easter vigil.

" The lighting of the paschal fire will be a very public symbol of the arrival of Easter in Limerick. And the local community is really getting behind this project, which has been undertaken with the agreement of Limerick city council, An Garda Siochana, Fire Brigade and civil defence.

" The fire will burn all day from 10.30am, in one of the most public places in Limerick, where it will be visible to shoppers, motorists and visitors to the city centre." Said father McCarthy.

The opening mass of the lord's supper will be broadcast on Holy Thursday, April8, from 7pm to 8.15pm on network two.

For other times of masses to be broadcast, contact the Diocesan office on (061) 315856. News powered by: Limerick Evening Echo