No mass gatherings of 5,000 or more until September The Irish Government has indicated today that licences will not be granted for any mass sporting or social events until after the end of August at the earliest. This will have a direct impact on both the Derby Festival at the Curragh in late June (26th - 28th) and the Galway Races which is scheduled to take place between Monday 27th July and Sunday 2nd August. Outside of those two Festivals most other Irish race meeting during the period would not be likely to exceed 5,000 spectators. Horse Racing Ireland is in constant contact with the Government regarding a date when racing in Ireland can safely resume. It is expected that once the current lockdown ends on 4th May that racing behind closed doors could resume within two weeks and will continue without spectators for a further period of one month. The Government statement reads: "there are a number of largescale future events which require licensing and the involvement of the HSE and Garda Síochána, and public consultation in that licensing process which fall to be determined in advance of that by local authorities. "While the issue of restrictions on future mass gatherings is a decision to be taken by the NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team), in the case of these particular events, and taking account of the impacts on the integrity of the licensing process in the short-term due to restrictions on stakeholder involvement, local authorities have been advised by Government that event promoters should be informed that events requiring licences in excess of 5,000 will not be considered for the period up to the end of August. "This will be kept under review in line with NPHET advices on mass gatherings more generally."
