The continuing foot-and-mouth crisis has caused the cancellation of the annual Feis Ceoil, the first time the event has had to be called off in its 105-year history. Comprising some 200 competitions in instrumental and vocal disciplines, the feis was due to begin yesterday at the RDS in Dublin, running for two weeks and culminating in a prizewinners' concert on April 1st.
The 7,000 competitors have been informed of the decision through press advertisements and by letters sent to the various music schools. All entry fees will be refunded on production of ballot cards to the feis office at 37 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.