Hats, flags and headscarves: Big demand on Papal items!

Louise Walsh

Navan Parish Shop was caught by surprise with the sheer level of demand for religious items and flags ahead of the Papal visit this weekend.

Shop manager Louise Dunleavy said hundreds of items were sold in the one day, leaving her to quickly source extra supply.

"We were expecting demand but not the sheer level that we saw on Monday.  It was slow enough all last weekend until then," she said.

"People are snapping up bunting, flags and the cardboard papal chairs that have been well-advertised.

"They also want to bring rosaries, holy water bottles and candles to the event to get blessed by Pope Francis.

"Many got medals blessed by Saint John Paul II when he came here in 1979 and want to get more blessed on this occasion.

"We were nearly cleared out of everything by Monday evening that I had to quickly restock, expecting similar demand in the coming days," she concluded.