“It has been very difficult for us not being able to gather together in our beautiful church buildings. We’ve had to rely on spiritual communion,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh.

Fr Peter McVerry said it is because of their safety and comradeship that so many people who are homeless elect to live in tents.

“I am standing on the altar where my dad celebrated his first Mass. There are not many sons who can say that,” says Anton Savage.