Staff at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin gathered to applaud the Irish public on Thursday.

They say this was for staying at home and helping to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Frontline staff at the hospital gathered at safe physical distances at the North Circular Road entrance and clapped for two minutes at 11.00am.

Healthcare workers urged the public to continue adhering to the public health guidelines in the weeks ahead.

Image: Supplied

Professor Sean Gaine is a consultant respiratory physician at the Mater Hospital.

He explained why the staff  chose to honour the general public.

"We are all working extremely hard to deal with COVID-19 and to care for all patients that attend the Mater Hospital.

"We understand that it is difficult to stay apart from loved ones and believe that it is only right to pay tribute to the Irish public who are adhering to the public health guidelines.

"We would like to encourage everyone to continue doing what you are doing.

"We are very encouraged by the evidence that the curve is beginning to flatten in response to this commitment from the public.

"By staying apart now, we can help slow the spread further, and we can beat this".

Staff at the Mater Hospital in Dublin led by CEO Alan Sharp | Image: Supplied

The Mater also thanked the public and patients for their continued cooperation and support during these unprecedented times.

Alan Sharp, CEO of the Mater Hospital, said: "We have been preparing for the surge in patients, but with the help of the public we will be able to keep these numbers to a manageable level.

"We wanted to thank the community for doing their best to ensure that we as a nation slow the spread of COVID-19."

Mr Sharp added that the hospital has been flooded with messages of support and donations from the public.

Claire Walsh, clinical nurse oncology at the Mater Hospital, with some of the Cadbury Easter eggs from Novi | Photo supplied

Meanwhile hundreds of Easter eggs were also delivered to staff at the hospital.

These were given by IT company Novi, which provides support services to the Mater.

The firm said it wanted to show its gratitude to nurses, doctors and other essential staff "for their continued efforts in tackling the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland."