A Shannonside festival representative group says it doesn't expect festivals or events to take place until St Patrick's Day next year
The Association of Irish Festival and Events, based in Ballinasloe has been working with the government on draft guidelines for the return of outdoor events, which Minister Catherine Martin says she hopes to pilot in June or July.
The Tullamore Show has announced it was not proceeding with its showcase in late August, due to the lack of guidelines and given the time it would take to put them in place.
Colm Croffey Executive Director of AOIFE says the cost and level of planning involved would make it extremely difficult for local committees to run anything this year: