No Rose of Tralee until 2021.
Organisers of the Rose of Tralee International Festival have taken the decision to cancel the festival for the first time in its 61-year history.
A statement from organisers cited "unprecedented times" as the reason for cancelling the festival until 2021, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that has caused over 1,000 deaths in the Republic of Ireland since the beginning of March.
In a statement issued on Monday morning, organisers said: "Taking into account Government guidelines, the safety of our communities and the ability to deliver a wonderful festival; we have decided to postpone our 2020 Festival until August 2021.
"The Rose of Tralee operates International Festival operates on a yearlong basis, in Irish communities worldwide, and we will continue to harness our the goodwill of our extended Rose Family in supporting communities and charitable efforts over the next 12 months."
The statement went on to salute Ireland's frontline healthcare workers, including last year's winning competitor, Limerick Rose Dr. Sinéad Flanagan.
The full statement can be read below.
https://twitter.com/RoseofTralee_/status/1254697060286283776?s=20
The announcement follows a decision taken by the government last week to ban all events of 5,000 people until August.
Other major events, such as Longitude music festival, have also postponed festivities.
