Gaelcon 36

Gaelcon 36 took place from 25th to 28th October, 2024. We returned again to the Crowne Plaza in Santry. This was the first Gaelcon to have a “specialist” con runner, John Dodd. Our second year here saw some better use of space and amenities, and a welcome increase in attendees.

Venue: Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, Santry

Con Director: John Dodd

Guest of Honour: Guy Sclanders of greatgamemaster.com

Special Guest: John O’Brien, of Larian Studios’ Dublin office, and a producer on their smash hit gamer, Baldur’s Gate 3

Spirit of Gaelcon winner: Emma Priest

Quizmaster: Graham Turner

Charity Auctioneer: Brian Nisbet returned to the auctioneer role this year, and over €8,000 was raised on the night of the auction!

Charity partners/beneficiaries: BeLonG To and Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland

Gaelcon 36 programme: click here

The photos!

The people:

John Dodd, Con Director
John Dodd, Con Director
Tom Roche (Con Director, 1998), Sal Roche (Con Director, 2000), and Sal's son
Tom Roche (Con Director, 1998), Sal Roche (Con Director, 2000), and Sal’s son
Anton Sweeney (IGA archivist) and Andrew Coffey (Gaelcon Con Director, 2009)
Anton Sweeney (IGA archivist) and Andrew Coffey (Gaelcon Con Director, 2009)
Eoin Leahy and noted wizard, Chris "Kiffer" Flanagan (Gaelcon Con Director, 2005)
Eoin Leahy and noted wizard, Chris “Kiffer” Flanagan (Gaelcon Con Director, 2005)
OG IGA members Darragh Delany and Don Hoban (Con Director, 1995)
OG IGA members Darragh Delany and Don Hoban (Con Director, 1995)
IGA Secretary Tymora Freeman-Stannett and Con Director John Dodd present the Spirit of Gaelcon award for 2024 to Emma Priest. (Photo: Mark Hall)
IGA Secretary Tymora Freeman-Stannett and Con Director John Dodd present the Spirit of Gaelcon award for 2024 to Emma Priest. (Photo: Mark Hall)
2016 Spirit of Gaelcon winner Lloyd Gyan tries to avoid catching the auctioneer's eye during the charity auction... (Photo credit: Lorcan Nagle)
2016 Spirit of Gaelcon winner Lloyd Gyan tries to avoid catching the auctioneer’s eye during the charity auction… (Photo credit: Lorcan Nagle)
"The pen is mightier than the sword, they said to say..." (Photo credit: Mark Hall)
“The pen is mightier than the sword, they said to say…” (Photo credit: Mark Hall)

The Q&A with John O’Brien of Larian Studios, on the making of Baldur’s Gate 3, future plans for Larian and how to get into the games industry:

Getting ready for the Q&A
Getting ready for the Q&A
John O'Brien, being interviewed by IGA PRO, Ruairi Roddy
John O’Brien, being interviewed by IGA PRO, Ruairi Roddy
John O'Brien, being interviewed by IGA PRO, Ruairi Roddy
John O’Brien, being interviewed by IGA PRO, Ruairi Roddy

The charity auction!

Our auctioneer extraordinaire, Brian Nisbet
Our auctioneer extraordinaire, Brian Nisbet
Pat Maher & co, waiting to register winning bids
Pat Maher & co, waiting to register winning bids
No plushies were harmed in the making of this charity auction. Volunteer staff, now...
No plushies were harmed in the making of this charity auction. Volunteer staff, now…
One of the lots was film posters, donated by former auctioneer, Colm Lundberg. Or, as the screen would have it, Clom!
One of the lots was film posters, donated by former auctioneer, Colm Lundberg. Or, as the screen would have it, Clom!
"In the end, there can be only one!" (brought to you by the Department of Obvious Captions)
“In the end, there can be only one!” (brought to you by the Department of Obvious Captions)
Gaelcon 36 VIPs, back for more bidding!
Gaelcon 36 VIPs, back for more bidding!
Gaelcon 37's Con Director, Tymora Freeman-Stannett, announces the goodies available to winners of the Gaelcon VIP ticket lot
Gaelcon 37’s Con Director, Tymora Freeman-Stannett, announces the goodies available to winners of the Gaelcon VIP ticket lot
Fionnuala Murphy, winner of the Larian Studios mystery box lot, discovers what she spent her money on
Fionnuala Murphy, winner of the Larian Studios mystery box lot, discovers what she spent her money on
What it's all for! Keith from Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (standing), with Isra (sitting)
What it’s all for! Keith from Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (standing), with Isra (sitting)

The main hall:

Main trade hall
Main trade hall
Main trade hall
Main trade hall

Last but not least – the GAMES!

Lorcan Nagle’s (mainly) BattleTech photos:

Mark Hall’s (mainly) BattleTech photos:

Photo credits: Mark Hall and Lorcan Nagle, where credited. Even more of their amazing photos are available here! Uncredited photos are by Anton Sweeney.

Photos are used with permission and unless otherwise noted, are owned by their original creators and are released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.

Got photos? A cool story about Gaelcon 36? If you have anything you’d like to contribute to the archive – for this or previous Gaelcons – or if you can fill in gaps in our collective memories, please email us at archive@iga.ie!

2023 – Back to archive