The steady increase in the number of businesses, factories and shops remaining open all day on Good Friday has been criticised by the parish administrator of Tuam, Fr Stephen Farragher.

Fr Farragher said he was not calling for business to close for the entire day but "perhaps to close at 3pm like they used to".

"There are now very few occasions in which we take stock. The three main days of Easter allow us to really return to our Christian roots. It is a time when hope triumphs over despair with so many other avenues now in drink and drugs. This is a sure sign of a lack of spiritual release," he said.

Fr Farragher said there is a greater need for businesses and industries to observe the solemnity of Good Friday and to close during the afternoon.

"A chain of furniture stores in Dublin decided some years ago that they would not open on Sundays in spite of the trend now for seven days trading. This action could be replicated for Good Friday. Leadership from prominent businesses could make and allow for the 3pm close on Good Friday.

"You don't have to scratch too far from any Irish person's surface to find their Christianity, but I just think now and at Easter it is time to truly take stock in order to gain some perspective on our lives," he said.

However, Galway Chamber CEO, Michael Coyle said that while Easter and Good Friday were two very important dates on the Christian calendar, it was important to note that Galway was now a very mixed and multicultural society.

"I think the individual retailer can make the individual decision on their shop. I know there is the reality of what the competitor is doing or the shop the next door."

"There is no way the chamber would be prescriptive on the subject and I suppose there is just the inevitability that times has moved on," he said.

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