It is a truth universally acknowledged that Catholics don’t sing, whereas Protestants trill as to the manner born.

As Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory Michael Burrows puts it in his December letter, singing is "so much part of our very spiritual DNA in the Church of Ireland".

Sadly, whether Catholic, Protestant or belonging to any other Christian denomination, church congregations this Christmas must remain silent. Night or day. So no belting forth of O Holy Night, O, Come All Ye Faithful or Joy to the World this year.

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Traditional worship

As Bishop Burrows said, “many have become troubled about the continuing HSE restrictions on congregational singing – a very traditional part of Christmas and indeed of worship throughout the year”.

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Then, with commendable resignation, he added, “we have always been clear that we will regard safety as our top priority and accept health advice however apparently tiresome”.

But all is not lost for those feeling Christmas just will not be the same this year. In Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, they have found a novel way to allow the earnest, enthusiastic and impossibly nostalgic sing out their favourite Christmas carols with full-throated gusto while complying with those HSE restrictions.

‘Carols by Car-Light’

They plan a drive-in “Carols by Car-Light” service which will be broadcast on each car radio present and where all can sing to their hearts’ content with their windows up. It takes place at the town’s mart from 6pm next Sunday (December 19th.)

Elsewhere, compliance is expected in accord with the guidelines that at religious ceremonies generally, whatever the faith, there will be no “singing, shouting, chanting and raising of voices, as this may increase the risk of airborne transmission of the virus”.

Yet, there may still be choirs. Members, however, must be two metres apart, in all directions and not facing one another; two metres from musicians; two metres from the congregation; and performances/ rehearsals must be at a reduced level of loudness. All else is silence.