Details of one the largest gaming conventions in the country have been announced in Limerick.
More than 300 people from all over Europe are expected to gather at Thomond Park from June 14th-16th to participate in the 15th annual Conclave Games Convention.
Participants will compete for National and European gaming titles while the Convention will also feature stands hosted by traders from all over Ireland and some of the world’s biggest games manufacturers, such as Mantic Games, Airfix, Games Workshop and Ironwind Productions.
The event, which forms part of the Gathering Ireland 2013, is considered one of Ireland’s and the UK’s largest gaming conventions.
According to organiser Garry Jackson of The Gathering Games Store in Limerick City: “This year sees gaming groups and gamers from all Ireland, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Germany, Holland and from throughout Scandinavia coming to attend. The UK-based Mantic Games Company will host the DreadBall Irish Nationals while Martin Sweeney of Scottish-based Catalyst will run the Battletech European Championships, with the winner representing Ireland at the World GenCon Championships in Indianapolis, USA, later this year.
“On the collectable card gamesfront, this year sees an Irish Magic Nationals, two Magic Grand Prix trials, a YU-GI-OH Championship Series qualifier, where the winner travels to London to play in the Championship. The hugely popular Games Workshop Warhammer and Lord of the Rings will also feature. As well as hosting trade stands and these national and European title events, the Convention will also feature a model painting competition, historical and sci-fi/fantasy games, war-games and role playing games.”
Commenting on the background to the Conclave Convention, Mr. Jackson said: “The Convention began in 1999 as a gathering for various gaming and hobby groups in Limerick to come together and host an event encompassing all hobbies, and inviting anybody to participate. From humble beginnings in Halle Ide on Thomas street to this year’s Thomond Park venue, the event has grown over the years, but what has remained constant is the support and involvement of the local community.
“The participation of many local groups, including the Limerick Historical Gaming Society, Limerick Modellers Club and The Gathering Gaming Club and the support of local businesses provides a backbone and the convention now includes all ranges of the hobby and games industry including collectable card gaming, miniature wargaming, historical gaming, fantasy and sci-fi roleplaying games boardgames, figure painting and model making. This year we are delighted to host Conclave at Thomond Park and are looking forward to welcoming anyone who has attended Conclave over the years and anyone interested in attending for the first time to this year’s gathering. We are also looking forward to playing our part in promoting the Gathering Ireland 2013,” Mr. Jackson concluded.
This month has already seen a number of Gathering events held throughout Limerick including the Abbey Fishermen Homecoming Gathering, Ballyhoura Food Festival, Riverfest Limerick, the launch of the Lackelly Ambush Trail, Great Limerick Run, Campervan Gathering Weekend, and the Limerick School of Art and Design Graduate Fashion Show and Gathering.
Upcoming events include the Lifting Limerick Golf Event in Adare (6-7th), Pallaskenry Gathering and St Mary’s Church 150th Celebration (7-9th), Bloomsday in Bruff (13-16th), Granagh and Ballingarry Gathering (13th), 150th Anniversary of Croom National School (14-16th), Croom Family Reunion (14th), EFFIN VW Gathering 2013 (14-16th), The Glantine Invite (15th), The Shine Clan (15th), FISA World Rowing Tour 2013 (15th), Lough Gur Summer Solstice Festival (20-25th), The Gathering at Glenstal (22nd), Ballinruane Charity Barndance 2013 (22nd), Launch of The Geraldine Earls of Desmond (22nd-28th), Great Southern Trail Midsummer Big Walk (22nd), Rocky Mayhem 2013 in Kilfinane (22nd-30th), Spokane Limerick Sister Cities (23rd), Blas International Summer School (24 Jun - 6 Jul), Lifelong Learning Programme Directors Meeting (24-26th), Knockainey Village Festival (27-30th), Fitzgeralds ’STORM THE CASTLE’ Medieval Banquet in Adare (29th) and the Clounleharde School Reunion (29th).
For further information on the Conclave Games Convention, visit www.thegatheringireland.com, see Facebook (ConclaveGamingConvention) or contact The Gathering Games store at 00353-61315133.
More than 300 people from all over Europe are expected to gather at Thomond Park from June 14th-16th to participate in the 15th annual Conclave Games Convention.
Participants will compete for National and European gaming titles while the Convention will also feature stands hosted by traders from all over Ireland and some of the world’s biggest games manufacturers, such as Mantic Games, Airfix, Games Workshop and Ironwind Productions.
The event, which forms part of the Gathering Ireland 2013, is considered one of Ireland’s and the UK’s largest gaming conventions.
According to organiser Garry Jackson of The Gathering Games Store in Limerick City: “This year sees gaming groups and gamers from all Ireland, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Germany, Holland and from throughout Scandinavia coming to attend. The UK-based Mantic Games Company will host the DreadBall Irish Nationals while Martin Sweeney of Scottish-based Catalyst will run the Battletech European Championships, with the winner representing Ireland at the World GenCon Championships in Indianapolis, USA, later this year.
“On the collectable card gamesfront, this year sees an Irish Magic Nationals, two Magic Grand Prix trials, a YU-GI-OH Championship Series qualifier, where the winner travels to London to play in the Championship. The hugely popular Games Workshop Warhammer and Lord of the Rings will also feature. As well as hosting trade stands and these national and European title events, the Convention will also feature a model painting competition, historical and sci-fi/fantasy games, war-games and role playing games.”
Commenting on the background to the Conclave Convention, Mr. Jackson said: “The Convention began in 1999 as a gathering for various gaming and hobby groups in Limerick to come together and host an event encompassing all hobbies, and inviting anybody to participate. From humble beginnings in Halle Ide on Thomas street to this year’s Thomond Park venue, the event has grown over the years, but what has remained constant is the support and involvement of the local community.
“The participation of many local groups, including the Limerick Historical Gaming Society, Limerick Modellers Club and The Gathering Gaming Club and the support of local businesses provides a backbone and the convention now includes all ranges of the hobby and games industry including collectable card gaming, miniature wargaming, historical gaming, fantasy and sci-fi roleplaying games boardgames, figure painting and model making. This year we are delighted to host Conclave at Thomond Park and are looking forward to welcoming anyone who has attended Conclave over the years and anyone interested in attending for the first time to this year’s gathering. We are also looking forward to playing our part in promoting the Gathering Ireland 2013,” Mr. Jackson concluded.
This month has already seen a number of Gathering events held throughout Limerick including the Abbey Fishermen Homecoming Gathering, Ballyhoura Food Festival, Riverfest Limerick, the launch of the Lackelly Ambush Trail, Great Limerick Run, Campervan Gathering Weekend, and the Limerick School of Art and Design Graduate Fashion Show and Gathering.
Upcoming events include the Lifting Limerick Golf Event in Adare (6-7th), Pallaskenry Gathering and St Mary’s Church 150th Celebration (7-9th), Bloomsday in Bruff (13-16th), Granagh and Ballingarry Gathering (13th), 150th Anniversary of Croom National School (14-16th), Croom Family Reunion (14th), EFFIN VW Gathering 2013 (14-16th), The Glantine Invite (15th), The Shine Clan (15th), FISA World Rowing Tour 2013 (15th), Lough Gur Summer Solstice Festival (20-25th), The Gathering at Glenstal (22nd), Ballinruane Charity Barndance 2013 (22nd), Launch of The Geraldine Earls of Desmond (22nd-28th), Great Southern Trail Midsummer Big Walk (22nd), Rocky Mayhem 2013 in Kilfinane (22nd-30th), Spokane Limerick Sister Cities (23rd), Blas International Summer School (24 Jun - 6 Jul), Lifelong Learning Programme Directors Meeting (24-26th), Knockainey Village Festival (27-30th), Fitzgeralds ’STORM THE CASTLE’ Medieval Banquet in Adare (29th) and the Clounleharde School Reunion (29th).
For further information on the Conclave Games Convention, visit www.thegatheringireland.com, see Facebook (ConclaveGamingConvention) or contact The Gathering Games store at 00353-61315133.
