A priest has reminded people there's "absolutely no obligation" to attend mass in person this Christmas.
Fr Paddy Byrne says priests and parishes have ensured that churches are safe for those who do attend - but that they wouldn't want anyone putting themselves at risk.
People are instead being strongly encouraged to watch mass online if they can.
Churches and other places of worship will be open for Christmas mass, as part of the temporary easing of coronavirus restrictions.
However, capacity will be limited in churches due to the need for social distancing - with some parishes having introduced pre-booking and extra ceremonies to limit crowds.
Guidelines also advise against carol singing indoors, meaning the traditional Christmas mass will be very different this year.
Fr Byrne - a priest based in Abbeyleix and Raheen in Co Laois - told Newstalk Breakfast that everybody has a 'degree of anxiety' around the idea of people gathering this Christmas.
He said: "Churches have, in my experience, done our best and come to be very COVID conscious.
"For those who are thinking of coming to church this Christmas... the space is safe.
"But I want to say... I seriously would encourage people to, as they have become accustomed to, connect via the world wide web, via our parish Facebook live pages... there's absolutely no obligation [to attend in-person]."
Fr Byrne said it's often people in vulnerable categories who come to church, and in 'no way' would he want an elderly person to put themselves at risk by coming to church.
For those who do wish to attend mass in person, Fr Byrne said his own parish is trying to offer as many masses as they can for people to attend safely.
He said on Christmas Eve alone he will be celebrating five masses across the day.
