Report Paul Murphy
Two of our patron saints, Patrick and Brigid, have public holidays set aside for them but it looks like poor old Colmcille who did his best to convert the heathens of Scotland and Northern Britain is about to be snubbed. Yes, he should be honoured say Meath County councillors but not if it means giving employees an extra day off.
It was a man from Kells, the site of a monastery founded by Colmcille, who proposed that a bank holiday be created to honour the saint. Fianna Fail Cllr Sean Drew asked councillors to support his call in a motion tabled at the July county council meeting this week but they wanted to ensure that no further bank holidays be created in the process. Donegal County Council is leading the charge for a public holiday in Colmcille’s honour and Cllr Drew was hoping that Meath would follow suit. If the Government agreed to the proposal a possible date for honouring the saint would be 9th June 2026 (a Tuesday). Councillors were reminded by Cllr Drew that while the rest of Europe’s workers enjoy 12 public holidays, we Irish score badly with 10.
Cllr Peter Caffrey
Sinn Fein Cllr Peter Caffrey described the idea as “ridiculous” said that the only issue that would arise would be the cost to business of an extra bank holiday. It would be too much cost on the county council and on business, he said. Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons agreed and said it might not be the best time to bring on an extra holiday when many businesses were struggling.
Independent Cllr Noel French said Ireland had less public holidays than most of Europe and it seemed like we might be heading for a four-day working week. If businesses were against the idea of an extra holiday, there might be some other way of honouring the saint. Cllr Gerry O’Connor said he supported the sentiment behind Cllr Drew’s proposal but suggested to amend it to exclude the public holiday portion.
Cllr Drew agreed to an amendment by Cllr O’Connor that a holiday in honour of St Colmcille be fixed for the June bank holiday and the remainder of the councillors agreed to that.
