Taste Of Wicklow is the latest on the Irish food events calendar to bow out for 2020.
Festival organisers on Friday announced they had taken the decision to postpone the celebration of food and all things Wicklow, slated for this July, “until we can confidently assure everyone’s health and safety”.
With current Covid-19 restrictions issued by Government in place until at least 5 May, there is no guarantee on the future of events and festivals in the early weeks of summer.
The news follows on from the West Waterford Festival of Food (originally due for April), Bloom 2020, the national Street Feast initiative and more calling a halt to 2020 proceedings.
Other events, including Taste of Dublin and Tralee Food Festival are opting for dates later this summer, albeit perhaps playing things by ear at the moment.
Taste of Wicklow Statement
Organisers posted the following statement to tasteofwicklow.ie.
“Everyone has to make tough decisions in a world that has suddenly become very small and very fragile, and we’ve had to make our own tough decision today – but we know that it’s the right one to make.
“For the safety of our guests, our wonderful staff, and the whole country at large – we are postponing the Taste of Wicklow festival until we can confidently assure everyone’s health and safety.
“Our festival is not just about food, music, entertainment, or cinema. The Taste of Wicklow is ultimately a celebration of people, and if we cannot assure the safety of those people, then there is nothing for us to celebrate.
“Nobody knows what the future will bring, and we simply can’t know for sure when we can once again put on our festival, but please know that we will be back. It’s just a matter of when.
Other events and festivals
I’m keeping the list of events and festivals as current as possible on the blog, where official confirmations of changes have been made available.
Check out the list here and if you’ve got an event that’s changing direction in 2020, let me know.