Fleadhs latest casualties of Coronavirus crisis

All fleadhanna - county, provincial and the all-Ireland - have been cancelled for 2020, the Anglo-Celt understands.
The popular traditional Irish music festivals have become the latest casualties of the Coronavirus crisis. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has just released a statement confirming the cancellation of  Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020, which was scheduled for August in Mullingar and expected to attract around 750,000 people and generate €50 million for the region.
Making the announcement, the Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú said: ‘It behoves us all to do the maximum necessary, as flagged by 
the Government, to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our people in this emergency. Cultural and artistic activities in the future could prove to be a positive antidote in helping people who have suffered so much during the crisis.’
Joe Connaire, cathaoirleach of the Fleadh Executive Committee in Mullingar, said: “We welcome this decision by Comhaltas. The people of Mullingar will take all necessary steps in support of Government efforts to bring this present coronavirus crisis to an end. We look forward to hosting this major cultural event in 2021, which will be a huge boost to the local economy in these difficult times.”
Comhaltas are examining the possibility, depending on the status of the crisis at that time, of holding elements of the Fleadh at a later date in the year, at a venue to be decided. This would be with a view to making a contribution to morale and economic regeneration.
The Cavan County fleadh in Belturbet over the June bank holiday weekend and the Ulster Fleadh in Cavan in July will now not take place either.