Red wine and Communion wafers are currently being stockpiled by Desmond Wisley in neighbouring County Leitrim so there’s enough to go around for the large congregations at Christmas Day Mass.

Family run Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies been in business for over 40 years, covering the whole country supplying parishes with a large range of products including wine, bread, altar cloths, banners, candles and vestments. 

It is believed that the Leitrim based company counts many Fermanagh churches as their customers. Communion wafers for the Irish market are sourced in Poland and transported to Ireland via the UK, but Mr Wisley Brexit-proofed Christmas by doubling his Communion and wine orders. 

He usually orders four palettes of wafer breads a month – each containing 1.5 million pieces but due to his Brexit fears, he decided to him to double his order to eight palettes a month and up his monthly wine orders from 280 cases to 560 cases.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Mr Wirley said, “We were panicking they might get stuck in the UK but now we have it all covered. So everyone will make it to Mass at Christmas. We’ve increased the orders, doubling up from now up through November and December so we will be well-stocked to cover it all, whatever happens with Brexit,” said Mr Wisley, who works with his dad Brendan, 85.

He added Holy Water is safe, as it’s only consecrated with a splash from a priest, and the 15% proof red wine comes from Spain. “It usually takes three to five days to get to Ireland but with a messy Brexit that could cause a hold-up and take three weeks,” said Desmond.