Worldcon 2019 Dublin

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

So Worldcon is being held in Dublin next year and I'm looking forward to it. I am working as a volunteer to help with pre events and other stuff in the run up and have my membership sorted.
Just thought I'd reach out to see if any of my fellow Drangon and Jetpackers will be braving Ireland amd if any one has any queries are needs advice on navigating Ireland.

[Cendaquenta]

I am desperate to go. Location-wise it's pretty much the only Worldcon I'll probably ever be able to go to (I am in Scotland so a couple hours away by plane), but just might not be economically feasible. 😢

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Its currently 110 euros, for a first timer, you can pay a 40 euro supporting memebership, then pay the rest in increments to make it less painful. Flights should be ok from scotland to here, my last return trip to Edinburgh was 60 euro alltogether. Hotels in Dublin arent cheap but maybe look at airbnb or look just outside Dublin, I live in mid Kildare and can get to the worldcon centre in maybe 50-60 mins by public transport.

[Margo]

Where abouts is it Paul? What is 110euro? What is "supporting membership"?

[Rinn, Captain of the SSV Normandy]

I'd love to go, but not sure if it would be possible! :(

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

Oooh that is tempting, but I have no idea what my finances would be then as I'm tight this year. When abouts is it next year out of interest?

[Cendaquenta]

Freya wrote: "Oooh that is tempting, but I have no idea what my finances would be then as I'm tight this year. When abouts is it next year out of interest?"

15th to 19th of August.

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

My husband went to this year’s in San Jose. It’s where he grew up and not far from my parents’. I had to stay home because of school starting. It sounds like it was a lot of fun.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Margo, its in the convention centre on the North Quays in Dublin just near the IFSC. 110 euro is for a first timer to a worldcon for full 5 day access(This will go up next month to 130).
Supporting membership is for not attending but to get updates or set up a way to pay memebership over time.
I think membership for a non first timer is 180 euro.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

So on the way up to the big smoke then Margo 😀

[Margo]

Ah, I doubt it but you gotta dream ;-)

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

For accomodation they rent out a barge on the canal beside our house for 129 a night, it sleeps 6 so quite cheap. It would be great craic for you Margo

[Margo]

Wow, that's a good deal! I need the ground to be very stable under my feel unfortunatly. It's an oppurtunity for some D&J members though.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Absolutely. And its parked right beside a Michelin rated Restaraunt

[Em]

I got an earlybird membership a while back, but am still unsure if I'll go. It's probably best I save my holiday for something my partner and I will enjoy together. I could justify it as a business trip if I felt it was worthwhile for networking as I'm a 2D / 3D artist, tho'. I went on my own to WorldCon in Glasgow in '05 and in London in '14 and found them both highly enjoyable!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

See how it goes 😊😊

[Margo]

I've never been to one. What kind of stuff goes on? I know that authors give talks and people dress up.

Are the authors there for the 5 days or do they just appear once?
Can you go for just day?
What would that cost?
Why is it cheaper for first timers?
Why can't I stop asking questions? LOL

[Maximum]

I'd love to go, and Liverpool > Dublin flights would be cheap(ish), but I just can't justify the ticket cost.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Margo, a 6 year old asks less. Don't think they do a day ticket though.
And I Assume they want fresh blood.
I 'll send you a programme. I should get a good idea at a volunteer meet up next month.

[Margo]

Paul wrote: "Margo, a 6 year old asks less. Don't think they do a day ticket though.
And I Assume they want fresh blood.
I 'll send you a programme. I should get a good idea at a volunteer meet up next month."

Thanks Paul- I was just sharpening up your parenting skills haha 😁

I had a look at their page and I understand the membership thing the membership thing a bit better now. It is unusual! The way they explain it you are mostly paying for the oppurtunity to vote in the Hugo awards.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Seems like that. I just got the supporting membership so I could lock the price for full membership

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

It was definitely a pricey ticket. I think it cost us more than the transportation.

[Em]

I'm leaning toward going now, and am hoping I can share an AirBnB with friends. Several months ago I had been dreaming of making more of an Ireland visit out of the opportunity, I have wanted to go to the Skellig at St Michael well before Star Wars 7 and 8 made it more famous, and have been curious about attending TitanCon before as I hear it's become beloved of Game of Thrones fans. However, it's more practical that I'm just going to Dublin and WorldCon, then back to Yorkshire. Would be good to meet up with D&J members there!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It's a long trip from Dublin to Skellig Michael but definitely worth the trip if you can plan it out.
I've started working on the signs and graphics team for the conference so getting a good insight into the nuts and bolts.

[Cendaquenta]

GUESS WHO JUST FOUND OUT SHE'S GOING?!?!

[Em]

Hurrah!! :D

[Audrey, Queen of the Potato People]

Awesome! Have fun,

[Duncan]

Barring personal disaster (something I'm prone to!) I'll be there. Looking forward to it, and really impressed by the job the organising team did to bring it to Dublin!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It will be epic. Venue is quite good. I should be visiting it soon to plan out the signage locations.

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

Unfortunately Robin Hobb announced yesterday that she's cancelled her appearance at WorldCon. Her statement about it is on her Facebook page.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It was always up in the air. A shame she'll miss it

[Em]

Aw. I had attended a panel she was on at London 2014 and enjoyed her contributions to the discussion. I was aware she has been planning to travel less and it doesn't entirely come as a surprise that she has decided not to attend Dublin this year. I was looking forward to hearing more from her perspective, yet I also have a lot of respect for her decision.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It is a shame. Definitely one of the writers I looked forward to seeing.

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

Looks like Garth Nix has also pulled out of DublinCon due to new commitments and pressures. But he will be touring the UK/US/Aus in October for his new book Angel Mage.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Nooooo. Still a decent list going and I have managed to arrange a breakfast meet up with a few authors during the weekend as well.
Working hard on setup at the moment. It's all manic, organising printing and set up of signs etc from now until the setup in August

[Cendaquenta]

Paul wrote: "Nooooo. Still a decent list going and I have managed to arrange a breakfast meet up with a few authors during the weekend as well."

Oh cool! Can you share who/where/when?

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

It's a shame indeed, but as you say, should still be a fab event! Looking forward to hearing all about it :)

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Exact details not pinned down yet but it's a few of the Orbit authors.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Are you over for the full length Cendaquenta.

[Cendaquenta]

Paul wrote: "Are you over for the full length Cendaquenta."

Yep, I'll be there for the whole convention.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Excellent. I will let you know if and when anything is arranged then.
Are you staying city centre or outside for the duration.

[Em]

I can't believe it's less than three weeks now!!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It's flying in. We are currently quality checking all the signs before going to print late next week.
Also I am now officially speaking on a panel during Worldcon.
It's on Fantasy and mythology in the Irish Language.

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

That sounds like a really interesting panel Paul!

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

It should be. I'm excited to be part of the discussion. I studied Irish mythology during my degree and used to be strong in Irish language so hopefully I can contribute.

[Em]

You'll have to let us know when your panel is scheduled for, Paul. I think my only brush with Irish mythology is that it was a reference for the "Lorwyn" world in Magic: the Gathering, and having seen Song of the Sea animated by Cartoon Saloon in Kilkenny.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Sunday morning 11ish

[Em]

I think this is the one...!!

"Na Scéalta Fantaisíochta is Fearr ar Fáil i nGaeilge"

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

That's the one. Trying to get time to prep for it but still finalising signs and posters for the printers.
All manic. I'll be in the convention centre from early Wednesday organising distribution of signs.

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

Good luck with final preparations :)