The Rose of Tralee will not take place in 2021.
It is the second year in a row that the annual competition had to be shelved due to the coronavirus.
Host Dáithí Ó Sé told RTÉ's Raidió na Gaeltachta on Monday that the festival will not be going ahead.
And Anthony O'Gara, Rose of Tralee International Festival CEO, confirmed the "immensely disappointing" news this afternoon.
A statement from the organisers read: "Last year was the first time in our history that the Festival was postponed, and doing so again is difficult for everyone involved and of course for those supporters that look forward to celebrating our global Irish community each August, but we are confident it is the right decision as we all play our part right now in keeping each other safe and well.
"The Rose of Tralee International Festival operates on a yearlong basis, in Irish communities worldwide; and we will continue to harness the goodwill of our extended Rose Family in supporting communities and charitable efforts over the next 12 months.
"Similarly, we will each have a role to play in restoring our community and local economy following this pandemic, and we look forward to coming together in celebration in August 2022.
"In the meantime, we salute the leadership and the selfless efforts of frontline and support staff everywhere; and among them the efforts by many of our Rose family."
Host Dáithí Ó Sé had only spoken to the Irish Mirror last month about his hope for a return in 2021.
Dáithí, 44, has been presenting the show for a decade and told how valuable it is to the county.
The Kerryman said: “I don’t know if it’s happening but I’m hopeful we’ll have a Rose of Tralee at some stage in 2021.
“We did a look back of my 10 years as host last year and you talk to the people of Tralee, what it means to them.
“Then there’s the economic side, it’s worth €10million a year to the town.
“For people who don’t like it, there’s nothing I’m going to say after 10 years hosting it at this stage that is going to change their mind."
He added: “I wouldn’t be bothered entertaining negativity, there’s so much begrudgery in the world at the moment with the whole pandemic.
“The pandemic is feeding enough negativity especially for me so I wouldn’t entertain that.
“This is what we’re doing, we’re doing it to enjoy ourselves and if you want to come along for the spin, you’re more than welcome. If not, that’s fine too.”
