***EIRTAKON 2011 - 11th - 13th November***

Konata

The dates for Eirtakon 2011 - Ireland's biggest anime convention - were recently announced. This year, it will be taking place on the weekend of 11th - 13th November. Pre-registration is already open, at a discounted price of E20 so it's time to get thinking about your attendance plans once again!

For those of you who don't know what Eirtakon is, or are thinking of attending for the first time, check out the site here. It'll give you all the information you need and they have an awesome forum for all your con queries and general chat.

The 7th year of Ireland's largest and longest-running anime convention will take place once again in The Helix, a purpose-built event venue 10 minutes from the centre of Dublin. Eirtakon was first held in The Helix in 2010 and proved to be a massive success; with 2011 the committee has secured use of the entire venue for the full weekend - guaranteeing this year to be the biggest anime event ever seen in Ireland!

So there ya go! Loads more info to be announced over the coming months of course, and we'll try and have a more successful forum meet up at it this year too

PRE-REG HERE!

MarkMI6

Whoop thanks Konata for the thread

For everyone who probably doesn't know, I'm the PR-type person for Eirtakon so if you need anything or have any questions I'll try my best to answer for you all

Most importantly though, I'm all but demanding a proper forum meetup this time around! It's not like there's not enough notice

TheChrisD

MarkMI6 wrote: »

Most importantly though, I'm all but demanding a proper forum meetup this time around! It's not like there's not enough notice

Let me just let the record show that the one that was attempted to have been held last year did not fall apart because of me being too busy on the top floor!

thefinalstage

Ah Eirtakon, I have pre-regged already .

MarkMI6

Bit of an update:

- We have a confirmed guest of honour in none other than Liam O'Brien! More info here
- The early bird pre-reg is selling out ridiculously fast, I'm not 100% if it will be open until the end of May so try get in on this now before it's too late
- More guests, along with traders, panels, unique events and late night revelries are bubbling away n the pot, and will be announced over the coming months

yoshiktk

Does any one know a decent and not to expensive hotel near the con location?Im from Greystones but still i cant imagine going there every day with full gear for photos, so i would prefer to stay as near as possible.

karaokeman

Does anyone know how we pay the 25 Euro because I don't have a credit card.

What would happen if I sent the form and payed when I got my confirmation email?

chin_grin

karaokeman wrote: »

Does anyone know how we pay the 25 Euro because I don't have a credit card.

What would happen if I sent the form and payed when I got my confirmation email?

Set up a paypal account and link it to your own online banking one. Transfer the money to that and pay. Easy as. Although I wish that 20 would hurry the funk up and make paypal it's new home! For all of five minutes. ^_^

After going to and loving ArcadeCon I'd be stupid to miss this!

TheChrisD

yoshiktk wrote: »

Does any one know a decent and not to expensive hotel near the con location?Im from Greystones but still i cant imagine going there every day with full gear for photos, so i would prefer to stay as near as possible.

http://eirtakon.com/accomodation

I'll need to ensure that that page gets updated soon, there's also the Travelodge in Ballymun that I don't think is listed.

MarkMI6

karaokeman wrote: »

Does anyone know how we pay the 25 Euro because I don't have a credit card.

What would happen if I sent the form and payed when I got my confirmation email?

You can also pay by cheque or postal cheque if that helps: http://eirtakon.com/prereg

It will also be €25 on the door at the weekend, but the only way to guarantee a t-shirt is by pre-regging.

Hope this helps!

cocoshovel

I've never been to a con before but I think I will check it out this year. I think I will just go for 1 day though, get the train up and back. I don't really have anybody to go with but thats grand I'm sure there is plenty to keep me occupied. The thing that I like the sound of most is the trading hall and manga library (I assume you can buy the manga too?)

Just a quick question, aside from the t-shirt, what benefits would there be for me pre-registering?

MarkMI6

As well as the t-shirt we also open the pre-reg line at least 15mins earlier every morning, so you'll (hopefully!) get in the venue that bit quicker

Fergus_

Will pre-reg soon! Have many memories of last year.

Konata

Think I might go this year. It'd be my first con.

Can anybody organising it or anybody in the loop tell me if there's be Guitar Hero and Rock Band at it this year? It's not mentioned on the site, but the site lists what tournaments are being organised so I didn't know if it might be there anyway.

Konata wrote: »

The Helix, a purpose-built event venue 10 minutes from the centre of Dublin.

They're being a little bit optimistic there. :pac:

Konata

There was Rock Band last year set up for the whole weekend, just for casual play like. Instuments were in pretty bad shape though but I'm sure MarkM16 will be able to find out if they have it this year.

Helix actually is that close to the centre! It's more 15mins on a bus to DCU but you could be lucky and be up in 10

chin_grin

This'll be my third convention this year (and ever)! Seeing that they've the whole place booked out I'm ridiculously excited. ^_^

TheChrisD

Deleted User wrote: »

Can anybody organising it or anybody in the loop tell me if there's be Guitar Hero and Rock Band at it this year? It's not mentioned on the site, but the site lists what tournaments are being organised so I didn't know if it might be there anyway.

There's always something set up, usually for freeplay. The full schedule and full complement of game tournaments is not yet confirmed, there's still room for more to come in!

Konata wrote: »

Helix actually is that close to the centre! It's more 15mins on a bus to DCU but you could be lucky and be up in 10

15? If even, minimum 25 from Westmoreland St. :P

Maybe 10 if you're going by car and driving at 6am!

Konata

TheChrisD wrote: »

15? If even, minimum 25 from Westmoreland St. :P

Maybe 10 if you're going by car and driving at 6am!

I must be lucky with buses >_> I've got the 41 from Lwr. Abbey St and been at DCU in 15mins in the middle of the day.

MarkMI6

Yep 10mins is entirely do-able, especially at 10am on a Sat/Sun morning! Rush hour is more like 20/25.

We'll be announcing all the gaming tournaments in the coming weeks, we have most of them confirmed but we need to double check and make sure so we're not passing around bum info Will be posting an update here next week but check the main site for all our recent announcements re guests, new events, competitions and more

billaustin

Wow i didn't even know there was an Anime convention in Ireland, brilliant!

chin_grin

billaustin wrote: »

Wow i didn't even know there was an Anime convention in Ireland, brilliant!

There are currently four that I know of.

This.

Akumakon.

Nom-Con.

@rcadeCon.

Demonique

@racadecon isn't an anime con

Konata

Demonique wrote: »

@racadecon isn't an anime con

They had numerous anime related events and screenings though and as far as I recall, they advertised it as a "gaming and anime con". I was at it and it wasn't much different to Nom Con or Eirtakon in terms of events.

TheChrisD

Konata wrote: »

They had numerous anime related events and screenings though and as far as I recall, they advertised it as a "gaming and anime con". I was at it and it wasn't much different to Nom Con or Eirtakon in terms of events.

It's the same sort of deal with Brocon and Q-con as well. Just because they're not solely anime conventions shouldn't disqualify them from being counted.

cocoshovel

How much would a taxi from Heuston station set you back?

TheChrisD

cocoshovel wrote: »

How much would a taxi from Heuston station set you back?

The taxi regulator's fare calculator estimates between a tenner and €15.

MarkMI6

Ok, here's a huuuuuge update!

- Firstly, if you didn't know already, cosplay arist/model Yaya Han is coming to Eirtakon! We really can't wait to show her Ireland's cosplay scene
- Our guest artist this year is DestinyBlue, who will be giving two panels over the weekend (you can check em out in the link).
- our Saturday Night Entertainment schedule is online and looks killer - Eirtafortunes (our version of Family Fortunes), followed by Cosplay Blind Date (no Cilla Black cosplays please), followed by Movie Monsters Night, and if you want to dance til your feet fall off we have Moshi Moshi in the Nu Bar from 8pm til whenever they kick us out
- Our gaming schedule has been released and is by far the biggest we've ever had, we have tournaments coming out the walls at this stage.
- The anime screening schedule is mostly complete and will be fully online with times in the coming days Over 50 hours of anime will be screened over the weekend, including a few exclusives.
- There will be a photoshoot run by crack photographer Kieran Broderick on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and on Sunday afternoon he'll be giving a special workshop with a limited number of places available (sign up at our reg desk for it).
- We'll be selling Eirtakon hats, mugs, hoodies, badges, maybe some other stuff.
- Over 40 artists confirmed for the artists alley, it's going to be massive
- We're running a t-shirt mods competition, you can read about it here.
- Info on AMV, cosplay, modelling and art competitions are all available on the website.

I think that's it for now! We'll be putting up the full schedule, including all panels, workships and events, within the next 2 weeks. It's 95% complete and I've seen the Excel file, it's absolutely gigantic. It's kinda scary

TheChrisD

MarkMI6 wrote: »

we have tournaments coming out the walls at this stage.

There's a plan for next year

SandraManson

I'm going this year! Cannnnnnnnn't wait to Cosplay as Saya from Blood+.

chin_grin

So how much "costume" would suffice for a cosplay. I bought a mudkip beanie at ArcadeCon (forgot the name of the talented lady that made it and also sewed its eyes on.......d'aw). I could wear that. :pac:

EDIT: Found it! Bubblecat!

http://bubblecat.deviantart.com/

TheChrisD

chin_grin wrote: »

So how much "costume" would suffice for a cosplay.

The answer to that really all depends on whether or not you mean cosplay in the sense of entering the cosplay competitions

chin_grin

TheChrisD wrote: »

The answer to that really all depends on whether or not you mean cosplay in the sense of entering the cosplay competitions

I've actually seen the talent and effort that goes in to the costumes and I'm no way near that! I may wear it for sh!ts and giggles though, it is my "thinking cap". :pac:

TheChrisD

I get you. Yea, wear it when you come, it'll probably help be an ice-breaker to engaging with other con-goers

/me makes mental note to look out for that hat

cherryghost

I'll be going, albeit without a costume this year. Budget is stretched as it is just going to the con

MarkMI6

Ok, last major update before the convention in just over two weeks!

- Big news is... the schedule has been released! From that page yo can check out the full panels, events, gaming and special events schedules
- We have some badass new Lori artwork from our artist Swissy, which you can check out on the main site.
- We're gonna have taiko drummers at the closing ceremony to go out with a bang!

And one last thing, online pre-reg is closing at midnight October 31st (next Monday), so if you want to guarantee yourself a con t-shirt you still have time. Day and weekend tickets will of course be available on the door

chin_grin

MarkMI6 wrote: »

And one last thing, online pre-reg is closing at midnight October 31st (next Monday), so if you want to guarantee yourself a con t-shirt you still have time. Day and weekend tickets will of course be available on the door

Oooh! I thought I missed the pre-reg. Cool but grrr. Waiting to get paid though so hopefully will be able to get in early........I just want the t shirt. Aw.

I've been to the few cons this year in Dublin but still consider myself a complete newb (well ok, I am). I do watch a bit of anime and was wondering what people would suggest to go to\do at this con? Thanks a mil.

TheChrisD

chin_grin wrote: »

I do watch a bit of anime and was wondering what people would suggest to go to\do at this con? Thanks a mil.

Well there are a lot of things that can be done at the convention, it all depends on what your interests are. There are a multitude of panels you can go do, screenings to watch, games to play, traders to blow your wallet on and of course the general hubbub of the attendees.

I'm sure there's something in the schedule that piques your interest

Fergus_

TheChrisD wrote: »

Well there are a lot of things that can be done at the convention, it all depends on what your interests are. There are a multitude of panels you can go do, screenings to watch, games to play, traders to blow your wallet on and of course the general hubbub of the attendees.

I'm sure there's something in the schedule that piques your interest

Is the tickets cheaper to book in pre-reg?

TheChrisD

Not anymore, no. They were cheaper for the first few months that pre-reg was open, but the discount ended at the end of May.

However, pre-registering does get you an Eirtakon t-shirt included

tom_ass19

Hey

I'm thinking of going with my girlfriend, I just found out about this. It's more for her as a weekend away.

I just noticed that all the pre-reg tickets are done, what are the chances of attending the event and it being booked out? Or does that not happen, is there a 100% of getting 2 tickets to enter at the door?

Cheers,
Tom

TheChrisD

tom_ass19 wrote: »

I just noticed that all the pre-reg tickets are done, what are the chances of attending the event and it being booked out? Or does that not happen, is there a 100% of getting 2 tickets to enter at the door?

Chances of booking out are non-existant; you'll be able to get passes at the door no problem all weekend

Konata

For those of you who attended this weekend, there's a feedback form here you can fill out if you so wish!

chin_grin

Konata wrote: »

For those of you who attended this weekend, there's a feedback form here you can fill out if you so wish!

Done and done. Got all ten out of tens from me.

Although I didn't get around to every panel or game. Raging I missed the Blind Date Cosplay. Just watched some vids of it on youtube and looked like fun.

The Silent Hill Murder Mystery was ok. It would have helped if the participants had been mic'd and apart from some gruesome murder scenes I don't think it needed the over 18 tag! (Of course I realise they're just covering in case younglings wanted to go).

The Taiko drummers were........different. I'm aware of Kodo and when the lady explained that it was like a "performance art" that's when they lost me. They were impressive I'll give them that, but you could tell they were nervous as f*ck (spotted the blonde drop the sticks near the end......Sure, it's happened to me plenty of times [being a drummer]). Also the dude that just lost it laughing sitting in front of me at the little yelps was gas. ^_^

The Artists area seemed very cramped and the Traders was a bit sparse although they made good use of the space provided.

The video game tournaments were very well organised and I'm glad yer man went over to the kids shouting their heads off playing Mario Kart. They were getting f*ck-annoying. :pac:

I'm sure most of this is just me being annoyed at missing Friday evening and sleeping in Sat AND Sun so that I only got two half days out of it. Aw.

At least it was a nice "what to expect next year" run. I'll be attending a lot more then. Roll on the next Con!

TheChrisD

chin_grin wrote: »

The video game tournaments were very well organised and I'm glad yer man went over to the kids shouting their heads off playing Mario Kart. They were getting f*ck-annoying. :pac:

Jog my memory, was that me or Sairus who yelled at them? :pac:

chin_grin

TheChrisD wrote: »

Jog my memory, was that me or Sairus who yelled at them? :pac:

<looks up Eirtakon staff>

Yes, t'was definitely yourself.

I can't thank you enough. Sweet jebus they were loud!

Also this being my first Eirtakon, what was this "rant" you made reference to at the closing ceremony?

TheChrisD

The weekend was so much a blur I really can't remember what I was talking about at all :pac:

Unless I was talking about how the year before that (2010) I was a complete gibbering wreck on-stage when it came my turn to talk and do ****. Fúcking nerves.

chin_grin

TheChrisD wrote: »

The weekend was so much a blur I really can't remember what I was talking about at all :pac:

Unless I was talking about how the year before that (2010) I was a complete gibbering wreck on-stage when it came my turn to talk and do ****. Fúcking nerves.

Yeah you made reference to that all right. Ah it's one of the biggest fears and to be honest you did well. Conor was bricking it (I was looking at the page shaking like mad).