Organisers of the Lady of the Lake Festival have officially cancelled this year's event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was announced yesterday evening (Monday, June 2) that the annual community festival in Irvinestown, which usually takes place in mid-July, will not go ahead this year.

A spokeswoman on behalf of the festival organisers stated: "It's hard to imagine a summer without the Lady of the Lake Festival. We love to see so many people of all age groups from our community and further afield joining in fun activities. But, unfortunately due to current circumstances we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year's event."

She continued: "We had so many ideas we would have loved to roll out this year. But, alas it was not meant to be. If there is one thing we know our giant spirit will not be broken. We will make 2021 the biggest festival yet. We can't wait!"

"Just a little word of thanks to all those who help organise the event in any way. Thanks to chairperson Lisa Wallace and all the committee who put in so much effort each year. And to those who come out and support this event we will bring the party to 2021," the spokeswoman concluded.

The festival has only ever been cancelled once before, in 1982, Joe Mahon, Vice Chairman of the Lady of the Lake organising committee told this newspaper: "The Delaney Suite in Mahon's Hotel wasn't available that year so there was no where to run dances, that was the only other year it was cancelled."

Commenting on the cancellation of this year's festival, Joe said: "It's a big loss to the town and the community and then also tourists. People are gutted that the whole thing is cancelled. The caravan sites are always full for the festival, people always base their holidays around coming to Fermanagh for the festival. Then the truck convoy, it's been cancelled too."

"Hopefully next year it will be bigger and better than ever," added Joe.