Raft of local events fall victim to coronavirus outbreak

UPDATES AT TOP OF LIST AS WE RECEIVE THEM

The continuing coronavirus crisis has forced the cancellation of a large number of planned events across the Midlands in recent days, as communities and organisations try to grapple with the new reality since the first case of the virus was confirmed in Ireland at the end of February.

Among the events locally which have fallen foul of the coronavirus outbreak are:

CANCELLATION LIST

As per our story HERE all schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow, Friday.

Recommendation that all mass gatherings indoors of more than 100 people be cancelled.

Recommendation that all mass gatherings outdoor of more than 500 people be cancelled.

All State cultural institutions will close.

RINKA: All RINKA Midlands classes and camps for children have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. This term's classes will recommence as soon as they are given the all-clear. Anyone who has signed up for Easter camps will be issued with a refund.

Gift Grub: The Marion Rosenstock/Gift Grub show due to take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday March 14 has been cancelled. Those who have booked are asked to hold onto their tickets as they will be honoured for a new date in the future.

Mack Fleetwood: The Mack Fleetwood concert that was due to take place on Thursday night, March 12, has been cancelled and is being rescheduled for Friday May 29 – all tickets will be honoured for this new date.

Springwell clean-up: The communuity clean-up day for the Springwell Road in Athlone, planned for Sunday March 22, has been cancelled until further notice. The event may be rescheduled when things improve.

St Vincent's Quiz: The table quiz in aid of St Vincent's Care centre residents comfort fund due to take place on Thursday 12th of March in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel has been postponed. It will be rearranged for another date.

Mullingar Hockey: All training and matches for Mullingar Hockey Club have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. 

Ballinahown Big Breakfast: The St Patrick's Day Big Breakfast due to take place at St Colmcille's National School, Ballinahown on Tuesday March 17 has been cancelled. The Parents Association said they hope to be in a position to have another community fundraising gathering before the end of this school year.

Ballinasloe Musical: The Society's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof', which was to run from Tuesday to Saturday, March 24-28, has been postponed until further notice. The society hopes to put the show on as soon as possible. Anyone who has bought tickets will receive an email about refunds soon.

Pop-up Gaeltacht: The Athlone Pop Up Gaeltacht - Seachtain na Gaelige event for Thursday evening (March 12) has been postponed. The organisers hope to re-schedule later in the year.

Shannon meeting: Heartlands Heritage public meeting to promote the Shannon Corridor: This event was due to take place on Thursday night, March 12, in the Creggan Court Hotel, but has now been postponed until further notice.

Athlone and Moate St Patrick's Day Parades: Both parades were cancelled when the government announced that all parades were to be cancelled this year on the advice of health officials. Statements from the local committees expressed the hope that the events can be held later in the year once Ireland gets the “all-clear” from the virus.

AON Mullingar Half-Marathon: This very popular road race, which attracts entrants from all over the Midlands and beyond, is a staple of the annual St Patrick's Day calendar of events in Mullingar. It is also hoped to hold this event later in the year.

Westmeath Batchelor Competition & Mullingar Greenfest: The resurrected Westmeath Batchelor Competition was the flagship event of the Mullingar Greenfest, which was due to take place this coming weekend. However, all events have now been cancelled, and the organisers are hoping to be able to reschedule at a later date.

Moore Drama: The Moore & Cloonfad Drama Group were due to stage their 2020 production 'The Stations' in Moore Hall from Friday next, March 20, to Sunday 22, but they have now decided to defer the play to a later date.

Rahan Drama: The 2020 production from Rahan Drama 'Second Confession' which was due to be staged in Tuar Ard Arts Centre in Moate from Friday night next, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, has also been postponed to a later date.

 

Staying indoors? Keep up to date with our epaper (a full digital edition of the Westmeath Independent) HERE