• Home
• What is Octocon?
• News
• Guests
  • Tanith Lee
  • Storm Constantine
  • Roger Gregg
  • Harry Harrison
  • Paul J. Holden
  • John Kaiine
  • Dirk Maggs
  • Anne McCaffrey
  • Michael Scott
  • Matt Smith
  • John Vaughan
• Members
  • Member List
  • Rates
  • Code of Conduct
• Location
  • Hotel
  • Where to Stay
  • Getting There
• Contact Us
  • Contact Info
  • Feedback Form
• Downloads
  • Flyers
  • Screen Savers
  • Wallpapers
• Archive
  • Roll of Honour
  • Eurocon 1997
  • Octocon 1999
  • Octocon 2000
  • Octocon 2001
  • Octocon 2002
• Site Map

What is Octocon?

Simply put, Octocon is Ireland's national Science Fiction convention.

Not quite so simply put; Octocon is an gathering of fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror. It runs for a whole weekend and takes place every October. Well, almost every October; after twelve years without a break, Octocon took 2003 off for a breather. This year, it's happening on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of October.

And what happens at Octocon, exactly?

Oh, lots of things! We cover an incredibly wide variety of topics with panels, interviews, discussions, workshops, rare movies, games, and parties. Every Octocon is a little different to those that have gone before. This year, we're focusing on the creative side; if you want to know about writing novels, short stories, we will have that covered! If you want to know about writing or drawing (or editing) comics, we have special guests from 2000 AD. Or if it's radio, movies or television you're interested in, we'll have directors, writers and producers on-hand to share their wisdom and experience. See our guest list for more details.

Where is it taking place?

This year - for the first time - Octocon will be truly living up to its tag-line of "Ireland's National Science Fiction Convention"; all previous Octocons have taken place in Dublin, but this time we're in County Kildare, in the historic town of Maynooth. It's a great little town that's actually easier to get to than most places in Dublin - even if you're coming from Dublin - and has several other advantages: free parking, lower room rates, one of the best Chinese restaurants I've ever encountered (and I've encountered a lot!), and it's well-serviced by public transport.

How much does it cost to attend Octocon?

At the moment, it costs a paltry €40 for the whole weekend (or €25 if you're under 16) - compare that to, say, a football match; a match will last for ninety minutes and you don't get to meet the players in person!

But those rates are only in place until October 1st; the price will be increasing after that! We also have group rates if you're coming with five or more people; we have more details on the News page. We will have a one-day rate, but that's only payable at the door; you can't book that in advance.

So Octocon's a nice little earner, then?

Not really! Octocon is a non-professional event. That is, the people who run it do so for love, not for money. All profits are donated to charity. In the event that an Octocon doesn't recoup its cost, the loss is covered by the committee. In fact, the committee are all fully paid-up members of the convention; even we don't get in for free!

What else can you tell me about Octocon?

This year's Guest of Honour is Tanith Lee, the world-renowned, best-selling author. If I had to sum up her style of writing in only a couple of words, I'd have to say "simply incredible." Tanith can put more imagination and atmosphere into a single short story than most writers can put into a trilogy. She writes in a variety of genres - including horror, fantasy, young adult, science fiction and erotica - and while there are other writers who are also as wide-ranging, there are very, very few who can match Tanith for style, wit and depth.

Our other guests this year are authors Storm Constantine, Roger Gregg, Harry Harrison, Paul J Holden, John Kaiine, Anne McCaffrey, Dirk Maggs, Kim Newman, Michael Scott, Matt Smith and John Vaughan; all consummate professionals and among the best in their fields.

Over the years, Octocon has been host of some of the top names in science fiction and fantasy; Here's just a few of our past guests: Orson Scott Card, Simon Clark, Steve Dillon, Diane Duane, Dave Duncan, Garth Ennis, Maggie Furey, Colin Greenland, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Joe Haldeman, Peter F. Hamilton, John Higgins, James P. Hogan, Robert Holdstock, Graham Joyce, Katherine Kurtz, Morgan Llywelyn, Scott MacMillan, George R.R. Martin, Paul McAuley, John McCrea, Ian McDonald, Juliet E. McKenna, John Meaney, China Miéville, Peter Morwood, Paul Peart, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Chris Reed, Geoff Ryman, John W. Sexton, Will Simpson, Michael Marshall Smith, Brian Stableford, Freda Warrington, Ian Watson, James White and David Wingrove.

So it's worth my while going, then?

Oh yes! As I said above, each Octocon is different to all the others, but this year it's really going to be something special!

I'm convinced! Where do I sign up?

Just click "Join" on the menu, and follow the instructions!