RTÉ's famous Christmas Eve broadcast on Dublin's Grafton Street won't be happening this year due to Covid-19 concerns.
The broadcaster confirmed that a safe and socially distanced alternative will take place at RTÉ studios.
Every year, the outdoor broadcast would attract hundreds of festive revellers and last minute shoppers to the heart of Dublin to celebrate the holiday.
Though due to fears that it would be impossible to stage the event in keeping with public health guidelines, RTÉ understandably pulled the plug.
"Liveline's Christmas eve outdoor broadcast on Grafton street won't be able to go ahead this year, due to Covid-19," an RTÉ spokesperson told the Irish Sun.
"However, there will be a Liveline Xmas Eve special broadcasting on Radio 1 and plans for this are currently underway."
24/12/2019 Joe Duffy Christmas Radio Shows. Pictured are Irish comedian aka Mrs Brown Brendan O Carroll(left) with RTE Liveline presenter Joe Duffy on Grafton Street Dublin for his christmas eve radio show. RollingNews.ieAn annual tradition since 1973, the show was famously hosted by Gay Byrne until the legendary presenter's retirement from radio, where the torch was passed to Joe Duffy.
Following his death last November, a portrait of Gaybo was shown to the crowd during last year's broadcast, bringing cheers from the crowds.
According to the Irish Sun, sources claim that RTÉ considered staging the live broadcast from a balcony above Grafton Street, but it was later ruled out as an option.
"It might have led to shoppers crowding together to watch from below," the source said.
