Due to the current global health crisis, numerous public events have been delayed or cancelled. Those that involve large international gatherings have been affected in particular. In news that probably isn't going to surprise anyone, the latest to be impacted is The Rose of Tralee.

The postponement marks the first time that the Rose of Tralee festival has been postponed in its 61 year history.

The organisers had originally hoped to stage the festival in the autumn. However they were unable to stage the Rose selections in the centres around the world.

It was originally set to take place from Friday August 21st to Tuesday August 25th of this year.

The next Rose of Tralee festival will happen in August 2021 instead.

Aside from 'The Late Late Toy Show', it's is one of Ireland's biggest TV events and has been since starting to be televised in the 1970s.

You can read the organisers' statement, which was published on Twitter, here:

 

It says:

"Over the past few weeks, our team have been considering how best we could safely deliver some, or all, of our 2020 Festival events.

"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.

"This is the first time in our 61 year history that the Festival has been postponed, but it is the right decision as we all play our part right now in keeping each other safe and well.

"The Rose of Tralee International Festival operates on a yearlong basis, in Irish communities worldwide; and we will continue to harness the goodwill of our extended Rose Family in supporting communities and charitable efforts over the next 12 months."