The Armagh County Show has been cancelled for the second year running.
The organising committee have taken the difficult decision due to ongoing public safety concerns surrounding Covid-19.
It had been due to take place at the usual setting of Gosford Forest Park at Markethill on Saturday, June 12.
But it will not now go ahead.
The Show’s Chairman, George McCall, commented: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have taken this difficult decision, but with lockdown still in place and restrictions only slowly easing, we do not want to take the unnecessary risk of putting on a large event that may jeopardise the health of our community and the safety of our committee and volunteers.
“With hundreds of volunteers, competitors and traders, this one-day agricultural event welcomes over 15,000 visitors from across Ireland and further afield.
“It takes several months of intense work to organise an event of this scale, but with the uncertainty of how long it will take to get back to some form of normality, it is just not possible to run the show this year. We are deeply sorry for the disappointment this will cause, but we are sure everyone understands that protecting our community and visitors is our number one priority.”
The Armagh County Agricultural Show has been held in various locations and is one of the longest -running shows in Ireland with a report of one being held in the city of Armagh as far back as 1829, it has only been cancelled a handful of times: during each world war; and for the first Foot and Mouth outbreak.
The show has enjoyed a fantastic resurgence of support since moving to the beautiful grounds of Gosford Forest Park owned by the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Maintaining a positive outlook, Mr McCall added: “We certainly hope to celebrate our anniversary show next year and with a two year break behind us, we will all have something very exciting to look forward to and believe me it will be absolutely spectacular!”
Last year the Armagh Show was one of 12 cancelled en bloc by the Northern Ireland Shows Association.
So far organisers of individual shows have made their own announcements on their plans to call off events while others are still considering matters and waiting further advice.
Newry, Omagh and Castlewellan are among those which have already been cancelled.
No decision has yet been confirmed in relation to Lurgan.
