Frequently Asked Questions

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. This year, it's happening on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of October.

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 delighted to be close to the City Centre at the Camden Court Hotel on Camden Street. See our Hotel page for details.

Of course! Our rates depend on use, but we'll have spaces available for just about any fan group, sales person, artist or convention that would like to promote themselves or sell their wares!

For more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch via our contact page and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

We're always happy to take in flyers for other events! Get in touch and we'll give you details for getting them to us before the con. You can also avail of the advertising space in our programme book so that you can reach more of our members!

We can also sell your comic or fanzine for you if you'd like. Contact us for more information!

You can pay either beforehand, or at the door. The prices at the door are as follows:

• Attending Membership: €40
• Students: €30
• Under 18: €30

Yes, there are!

To ensure the maximum enjoyment of everyone involved, please read the
following rules which make up the official Octocon Code of Conduct...

1. First and foremost, have a good time. That’s the whole point of the
convention!

2. Badges: The badge tells us that you’ve paid and are entitled to be
admitted. It’s your passport to the convention. Please keep it visible
at all times. If the security gophers can’t see it, they’ll have to
ask you for it. If you lose your badge, don’t panic. You can get a new
one from the registration desk.

3. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the hotel except
smoking-permitted bedrooms. This is in accordance with Irish law and
not the hotel being mean. There is an outdoor smoking area off the
corridor in the convention centre.

4. Children under 12 may only be admitted to the convention if
accompanied by an adult member. Adults bringing children to the
convention must be responsible for them at all times during the
convention, and are asked to ensure that they are responsibly cared
for, and not allowed to cause disruptions during events. Please note
that while Octocon is aimed at all ages, some events - particularly
those later in the evening - may be unsuitable for minors.

5. Unless otherwise stated, normal still photography is permitted in
general convention areas. Please seek permission from dealers before
taking photographs of their stands or any items thereon. Also, some
Octocon's Next Top Monster costumes may mean that the costumers may
have limited visibility and may not appreciate being blinded at a
crucial moment by a flash going off in their face. Film, video and
audio recording will only be permitted where the permission of the
convention committee and the persons involved has been sought first.
Otherwise, use your common sense.

6. The issue of weapons is always an area of controversy, however for
insurance and legal reasons we have to draw a line in the sand.
Accordingly we are decreeing that real and realistic-looking weapons
or otherwise dangerous objects cannot be brought into the convention
unless they are being used as a prop in the Octocon's Next Top Monster
or other convention event. In such cases, they must be safely bound
and may not be displayed outside the specific event. The committee
must be informed of any such weapons and reserves the right to refuse
their admission to the convention.

7. It is not normally permitted to bring food and drink into the
hotel. There is a corkage charge on bottles of wine. If hotel staff
discover you bringing in food or drink, you’re on your own.

8. The committee reserves the right to revoke the membership of any
member whose behaviour they feel is disruptive and is preventing
others from enjoying the convention.

9. Due to health and safety regulations at the hotel, no live animals
- with the exception of guide dogs - may be brought into the
convention.

10. The video equipment Is more complicated then it looks, so please,
if a problem arises, don’t try to fix it yourself. There should be a
member of staff present, but if there isn’t, please find one.

11. Members entering Octocon's Next Top Monster are requested to
cooperate with the event coordinator. See also points 3 and 5.

12. Remember, the convention guests are people too! Please try not to
monopolise their time or otherwise unnecessarily inconvenience them,
lest you befall point number 8 above!

13. To avoid disruption, mobile phones must be switched off during
panels; see point 8 above.