The awards which are now in their 17th year, will host a three day event taking place from Thursday 3rd October to Saturday 5th October.

Among the international Roses competing this year are Megan Cahill from Chicago and Ciara O'Sullivan from Dubai.

It gets under way at 10 o'clock this morning in McGowan's Field and Reynolds Topline Community and Sports Hub.

The clade 1b strain has been confirmed in Sweden and is thought to be the most dangerous so far.

The building dates back to the 1800s and served as a RUC Barracks where it changed to a Garda station on the formation of the state.

Festival organisers are urging the public to come out and support the events and join them as the parade travels through Carrick on Shannon.

It starts from The Square at 8 o'clock and makes its way down to the McGirl monument at the other end of the town.

A case has been found in Sweden as there's a major outbreak of the virus in Africa.