Plague of flies closes iconic Irish church ahead of weekend confirmations

A plague of flies has caused the closure of an iconic Irish church.

The infestation at St Aengus’ Church in Burt in Donegal has led Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley to fumigate the iconic round chapel in preparation for Confirmations this weekend.

Flies buzzing through the Catholic chapel, which was designed by celebrated architect Liam McCormick, have become a nuisance for churchgoers for some time, but the issue has become worse of late.

Fr Bradley said nothing in the church, which is expected to reopen by tomorrow, Wednesday, is causing the flies to come in, but “we must be in their fly path.”

The PP added that he’s keen to resolve the issue before the arrival of Bishop McKeown for Confirmations on Saturday.

“I have put up with it for long enough. I want it to be cured now, particularly when the Bishop is coming,” he said. “Maybe it’s part of climate change. It is a torment, especially to the people who clean the church, sacristy and celebrate the Mass.”

“They come in from outside and gather in the church. The main source of light and heat in the church is the cone right above the altar. Then they die and drop down on the altar,” Fr Bradley added.

A plague of locusts in biblical terms is seen as a sign of impending disaster; parishioners will be hoping the flies bring no such ill luck.