The organisers of the Castlebar International Four Day Walks have announced the cancellation of the 2020 instalment of the festival.
Festival representative Elaine Devereux said: "With sadness, we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Castlebar International Four Days’ Walks.
"We are in unprecedented times and as a community, we all must play our part. The safety of our walkers is paramount. Our duty is to ensure that no one is at risk in any way when partaking in our event. We therefore have made the tough decision not to go ahead with the walks this year.
"In 2001, after 34 years of walking, we cancelled our event in the midst of the Foot and Mouth crisis. This was to support our main stakeholders, the land owners and farmers, who facilitated our walks by allowing access through their lands. We bounced back the following year, stronger. We have no doubt we will also bounce back from this present crisis.
"We are making this decision now so that walkers will know where they stand regarding their plans and preparations. We have contacted those who have already booked with us to make them aware of the situation and also have been in touch with our suppliers of accommodation, foods, transport etc. Any walkers who have already paid their registration fees will be refunded or, if they prefer, their fees can be carried over for the 2021 Walks.
"As a local community and as a global community, we must follow the advice of the experts. They assure us that by following this advice, we will flatten the curve. We all have to play our part and Castlebar International Four Days’ Walks part now is to cancel this year’s walking festival so we can all walk together in solidarity and friendship next year.
"Remember, you’ll never walk alone. Stay safe everyone."
