The Irish Grand National festival was postponed on Tuesday because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Department of Agriculture in Ireland informed the Irish Racehorse Trainers' Association that the four-day meeting could not go ahead.

The festival, one of the highlights of the country's racing calendar, is traditionally held at Fairyhouse near Dublin over the Easter period.

Tony Redmond, manager of the trainers' association, said efforts would be made to reschedule the event.

"Easter Monday, when the Irish Grand National would normally be run, is on 16 April this year," said Redmond.

Surprise move

"But the agriculture ministry probably won't let anything go ahead until at least 19 April."

The government clamped down on all sporting and public activity last month to halt the spread of the virus.

The Republic of Ireland has only one confirmed outbreak.

In a surprise move on Monday, the Irish Government allowed Irish horses to travel to Liverpool for the English Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

However, the horses will not be allowed back into the country for an indefinite period.