*Crowds attending the Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis. Photograph: True Media
Mass gatherings that would attract crowds in excess of 5,000 will not be allowed take place until the end of August at the earliest.
Summer 2020 will see no large-scale events such as concerts and major sporting fixtures such as the GAA inter-county championship in Ireland. The Tidy Towns competition will not go ahead.
Restrictions have meant no mass gatherings have taken place in Ireland since March 24th. A Government spokesperson has confirmed that this will continue to apply until the end of August for all events which require a licence for crowds greater than 5,000 people. The matter will be reviewed on a regular basis with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
“There are a number of largescale future events which require licensing and the involvement of the HSE and Garda Síochána, and public consultation in that licensing process which fall to be determined in advance of that by local authorities.
“While the issue of restrictions on future mass gatherings is a decision to be taken by the NPHET, in the case of these particular events, and taking account of the impacts on the integrity of the licensing process in the short-term due to restrictions on stakeholder involvement, local authorities have been advised by Government that event promoters should be informed that events requiring licences in excess of 5,000 will not be considered for the period up to the end of August”.
