Derry Horse Fair cancelled for first time in over 100 years due to COVID-19

Noel Gallagher, a member of the organising committee, said the decision was taken in the interest of public health.

"The Fair has survived some very tough times, but this global pandemic is unprecedented. Although June 17 is a while away yet we just don't know what is going to happen with COVID-19, so we took the decision to cancel this years event.

"We hope to take this time as an opportunity to review the Fair and see how we can make it bigger and better in 2021."

The annual June Horse Fair has been held in Derry's Brandywell for well over a century, but due to COVID-19 it will now be cancelled for the first time.

Traditionally the fair is held on June 17 and has been run by local equestrian enthusiasts over many generations.

The fair managed to survive war, depression and was a very rare example of continuing cross community and cross border relations during the darkest days of the troubles.

The event has remained untouched for decades – keeping the traditional Irish Horse Fair alive in the North West.

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