2025 Programme

The first rule of the Tech Briefing is that you don't talk about the Tech Briefing. Admission only If you are dressed in black and know the difference between a bus conductor and a semi conductor.

THEATRICS INCLUDED Act 1.0
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And so we start - Huzzah!!! Come along to meet your TriChair and committee and finally figure out why you're here in Cork this weekend! While there are fun and games during the Friday afternoon - this is the official kick-start to the weekend!!

Eye of Argon has long been a fan favourite amongst Discworlders*, but do we know its history and how this nominated Booker Prize losing novel** came to be published. What other hidden gems are out there that are only unknown due to their lack of marketing budget***?

Come along to hear Colin Smythe discuss a history**** of this amazing book, listen to him read some extracts, and then try and emulate him (on stage) without either pausing, reading the wrong word or simply cracking up.

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* Or at least those of us who remember when we read it on stage back in 2009
** This book was never nominated for any literary awards
*** Would we even have read A Song of Ice and Fire if GRR Martin hadn't convinced HBO to spend nearly £500 million to promote the book?
**** Or possibly a Geography

First IDWcon? No problem! Our very own Potato has put together this briefing to give you an overview of what to expect of the weekend.

Congratulations, you've volunteered to be a Gopher! Now come and find out exactly what that entails at this excellent and informative Gopher Briefing! We'll be sure to tell you how lost we'd be without you (we really really would)
And if you have not (yet!) volunteered, come along anyway to see what it's all about.

Form groups of four and draw a card from the Mysterious Deck of Conversation. Each card has a Discworld inspired question, there are no right answers, just delightful nonsense and spirited debate. After 5 minutes one person switches tables, a new card is drawn and the chatter continues. It’s a low stress way to meet new people, and share laughs.

Talk. Mingle. Make Friends. Avoid the Luggage.

For the Discworld Superfans who know ALL the trivia! Individuals are pitted against each other in 2 rounds of fiendishly difficult Discworld questions. Hosted by our own Dr Jan Harkin, participants must sign up at Registration to enter.

Don your jammies (yes indeed - pyjamas are encouraged), wrap up your mummies and curl up as our very own Jane reads you one of their most favourite Discworld tales. Suitable for all ages

The after hours version of the Just a Minute Quiz! Speak for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition or deviation. 18+

Can you answer the (easier than Mastermind)* questions to work your way up to the top of the pyramid**?

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* "easier" is a relative term and is only applicable if you actually know the answers.
** There will be no climbing involved

A fast paced talking game in which each individual player is given just 30 seconds to waffle about a given Discworld topic in order to hit 5 key words. Whatever you do, don’t stop Waffling! (It's trickier than it sounds!)

Come to the Second IDWCon Whiskey Tasting. Generously sponsored by Middleton Distilleries, this is a great opportunity to sample their newly released Method and Madness collection.
Please note this event is ticket only, which must have been purchased before the Convention.

18+ Only.

Come, sit* and see the Sky TV adaption of The Colour of Magic
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* If you want to stand for 3 hours, feel free.

The Mummy (1999) (The Good One) - Starring Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz, a classic aired for your viewing pleasure

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

Please note this event is ticketed, and tickets must be purchased before the Convention.

Meet Matt of BrickMorpork for an interactive workshop to complete your own Discworld-themed Lego build

Exactly what is says on the sarcophagus.

Limber up in the morning with a good stretch and a nice, centering oooooooook*

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Fear not, there won't be any downward-facing-camels too early in the morning...

Participants in the Maskerade MUST attend this dress rehearsal in order to participate in the evening Maskerade.
This is NOT for spectators (you’ll ruin the surprise!)

Based out of Belfast, the Irish Video Game Orchestra has stunned audiences throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. This afternoon, come and hear the combined sound of a live quintet with the sights of video playback, the IVGO presents a show unlike any other.

THEATRICS INCLUDED ACT 1.5
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Are you interested in Publishing, or have you been involved in a nightmare. Come along and listen to Elaine Ofori give the real story as to how Caimh finally got published and the OP publisher of the Dysk - Colin Smythe - share some of his stories.

THEATRICS INCLUDED Act 2.0
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Come along on Saturday evening to see the greatest variety show of your life! Compèred by our very special guest Dr Pat Harkin, we can (almost) guarantee this will not disappoint.
Participants of all levels welcome, if you would like to partake, you can sign up at the Registration Desk, and show off your costuming, writing and performing skills!

Please note, participants MUST attend the dress rehearsal on Saturday morning.

DJ'd by the committee's own Aoife, come and boogie the night away with your fellow attendees as we raise the roof and lift those knees for the IDWCon disco! Expect the classics and if the Timewarp is not played at least twice then you may have taken a wrong turn through L-Space....
Please note: this event will contain loud music and flashing lights

For the Discworld Superfans who know ALL the trivia!Individuals are pitted against each other in 2 rounds of fiendishly difficult Discworld questions. Hosted by our own Dr Jan Harkin, participants must sign up at Registration to enter

Come along to listen to an interview with Irish author Caimh McDonnell and find out why anyone would leave a lucrative career writing jokes for other people on TV just to become a best-selling author of two amazing series of books.

Come along and listen to the OP Drama Patricia* of the Disc as Stephen Briggs expounds on how everyone else has got it so wrong and lays into his rivals**.

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* Stephen has made his main role as "not royalty".
** Any rivals in the audience should make themselves known to the Watch in case they need to be evacuated.

A fast-paced panel game that has you talking for 60 seconds without hesitation, repetition or deviation, this is the Just A Minute (JAM!) Quiz!
The After Dark version is the same, albeit a bit more... suited to the inner palace (not suitable for children or those with delicate sensibilities.)

An open mic night for all comers

If a good sing-song is more your style of shindig, then come and join the sing-a-long that is Toast and Jam! All are welcome and encouraged to join in with some truly original Discworld ballads

Due to the fantastic level of sponsorship Stephen received for his Toga outfit - he has kindly agreed to give us a special reading of Pyramids!!!

A fun ice-breaker game whereby you must make the most popular choices to win! Where even the wrong answer may be the right answer. Play in teams of one to six and calculate the answer to such questions as "who was the greatest mathematician on the Disc?"

Can you answer the (easier than Mastermind)* questions to work your way up to the top of the pyramid**?

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* "easier" is a relative term and is only applicable if you actually know the answers.
** There will be no climbing involved

A fun, simple ice-breaker! Borrowing is a game that involves lots of chair/name swapping and lets you take on the role of any Discworld character.

Or Crafts and Arts, come relax and have fun, create a masterpiece, or both - there may be glitter.

A competitive strategic card game for 2-4 players per deck
If you like rude kittens and card-games then this is the game for you! Whether you’re a novice or you play daily, join the tournament and play to find out who can evade Explosion!!!*

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*There Can Be Only One!**
**BOOM

Come, sit and enjoy the Sky TV adaption of Hogfather

Come and sit and enjoy the animated adventure of Maurice.

Have a break, sit down and enjoy the sky adaption of Going Postal

A chance to see this tragicomedy on a par with The Tramp in terms of dialogue. A buddy movie as good as The Odd Couple and as tragic as Blazing Saddles.

If you've never seen it, then come along for an experience of a lifetime. If you've seen it before then you know.

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

Fancy a trinket, maybe a souvenir to remember the weekend? Come along to the Bizarre Bazaar and peruse the wares of our most excellent dealers, as they do their best to exchange your coin for their shiniest of items.

Fancy a trinket, maybe a souvenir to remember the weekend? Come along to the Bizarre Bazaar and peruse the wares of our most excellent dealers, as they do their best to exchange your coin for their shiniest of items.

Please note this event is ticketed, and tickets must be purchased before the Convention.

Meet Matt of BrickMorpork for an interactive workshop to complete your own Discworld-themed Lego build

Exactly what is says on the sarcophagus.

Limber up in the morning with a good stretch and a nice, centering oooooooook*

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Fear not, there won't be any downward-facing-camels too early in the morning...

THEATRICS INCLUDED Act 2.5
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Drs Pat & Jan Harkin talk about the Lost Stories and how they unearthed the impossible - a new Pratchett book!

As one of the co-authors of the 'Science of the Discworld', Prof. Ian Stewart is always a fascinating person to talk with. If you have even a passing interest in science or maths, you definitely don't want to miss this one!

Exactly as advertised! Look - But Don't Touch! Have an up close look at all the lovely Action Items that you reallyreallyreally want to bid on!

Going, going - GONE!! If you are an avid Discworld collector, a curator of beautiful fan-art or you simply love to watch [Dr Pat Harkin] encourage attendees to viciously outbid one another - this is the Sunday afternoon entertainment for you! All proceeds of our Auction go directly to our chosen charities, so you can be confident that your wild, uncontrollable spending is Irish Discworld Convention 2025 all in a good cause! There are items to be won for all budgets so don’t be scared! If you have brought an item to donate to the auction, please submit it at the registration desk by 3pm Saturday afternoon.

Congratulations - you’ve outbid the competition and won the shiny thing! Now, I’m afraid we must deal with the sordid topic of coin... All auction items must be paid for, in full, immediately after the auction. We can accept cash, PayPal or card payments.

This is a ticketed event. Attendees must have booked their ticket in advance.

Don your finest black and bangles to celebrate the (slightly delayed) coronation of Her Majesty Queen Ptraci of Djelibeybi! The event of the year, an evening of fine dining* and esteemed** company awaits*

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*Menus*** provided in advance of Con
**positively mummified
***Any dietary restrictions must be flagged when buying your ticket to the event

A panel debate on the growth of AI in the arts - the good, the bad and the ugly. Come and join what's sure to be a lively debate on the growth and future of AI in the arts, with our guest Terri Simpkin chatting with IDWcon's committee members Róisín, Kerry and Eimear.

While we all know that Timothee Chalamet is the only real choice to play Pteppic and Zendaya for Ptraci (pause for shouts of horror). But who would you cast as Dios, Dil, Gern and the host of others including Taron Egerton as Chidders?

Come along to this lively* discussion on why Idris Elba is the only real choice to play Teppicymon XXVII and Emma Thompson is the Great Cow of the Arch of the Sky**

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* Please be aware that no weapons or rotten veg will be allowed into the hall
** It's a role from the book not a comment on Emma

A panel discussion chaired by our very own commitee member - Jaime - on what it takes to run a social media account dedicated to the Discworld. Come and hear what Patrick from The Mended Drum (Mastodon), Elaine the Wonderwife, and Matt (BrickMorpork) have to say on engaging Discworld online.

This is a fun take on a Masonic Lodge based on some excerpts from Guards! Guards!. Please note there will be two Charity Collections during the event make sure you have a coin with you.

Alcohol WILL be served, water is available too.

Come listen to Donal's wonderful Irish brogue as he tells late night Fairytales

Why does flarelight* feel flat?
When is amber dark, and what is lilac, anyway?Richard talks about lighting, colours, and (human) vision, with live demonstrations using LED luminaires.
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* Genuine flarelight not guaranteed. Time will continue to pass, even if it doesn't seem that way.

For the Discworld Superfans who know ALL the trivia!Individuals are pitted against each other in 2 rounds of fiendishly difficult Discworld questions. Hosted by our own Dr Jan Harkin, participants must sign up at Registration to enter

Are you a werewolf or simply* an innocent villager? Have you been hit bu cupids arrow and are a star crossed lover with no power** of your own destiny? Or are you a Hunter aiming to take down one more demon with your dying breath***?

Come along to this mega**** game of Werewolf with a difference***** and cast your vote on who to lynch******

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* Villagers are not also simple
** Do any of us have control over our destiny?
*** Not that all Hunters have halitosis, a knife can be used*******
**** Depending on how many people turn up.
***** Disclaimer - it is a regular game of werewolf
****** Rob, Shiv, Russell, the Little Girl, that person opposite you in the circle.
******* Metaphorically

The grand finale of Exploding Kittens*! Come see the final few battle it out to blow up all these rude cats for the right to call themself the IDWcon 2025 Exploding Kitten Champion!!!


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*for now...

Come, sit and see the Sky TV adaption of The Colour of Magic

Come, sit and enjoy the Sky TV adaption of Hogfather

Have a break, sit down and enjoy the Sky adaption of Going Postal

The iconic musical episode of Buffy you may not think you remember but is probably lurking in your subconscious somewhere

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-bewilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!
Please sign up at registration (and don't worry - we'll assign you to a team if needed)

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

Fancy a trinket, maybe a souvenir to remember the weekend? Come along to the Bizarre Bazaar and peruse the wares of our most excellent dealers, as they do their best to exchange your coin for their shiniest of items.

Fancy a trinket, maybe a souvenir to remember the weekend? Come along to the Bizarre Bazaar and peruse the wares of our most excellent dealers, as they do their best to exchange your coin for their shiniest of items.

If you have decided to attend the Gala Dinner, then don't leave your dollying up too late or you will miss the opportunity to walk past the hoi polloi as you sweep down the Avenue of the Pyramids for your pre-dinner drink.

Please note this event is ticketed, and tickets must be purchased before the Convention.

Meet Matt of BrickMorpork for an interactive workshop to complete your own Discworld-themed Lego build

Are you a seasoned D&D player, a beginner, or simply someone looking for a quiet place to sit down for an hour*? Come along for a fun "one-shot"** to get your imagination*** racing as you try and defeat not the orcs and dragons but the dungeon master in a battle**** of wills to see who will succeed.

If you have your own dice*****, all the better but turn up regardless
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* Look somewhere else, things could get noisy
** Not in a Jack Ruby sense
*** Imaginations NOT provided
**** No actual battles will take place
***** Dice will be checked for weighting and accuracy

This is your chance to race a real live camel*. Come along and compete with other camelphiles** to see whose dromedary*** is faster


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* Not literally
** What you do in your free time is up to you, no judgement.
*** Bactrians can also take part.

This is your chance to hear our guests (Pat Harkin, Colin Smythe, Ian Stewart, and Terri Simpkin) answer the tough questions as put to them by (one third of) our very own Tri Chair*. If you have missed out on their panels, not seen them in the bar, avoided the programmes they were in, then this is your chance to hear their views on Life, The Universe, and Everything.

*Jane

Come along to hear two of our amazing guests (Greebo's out the bag, the guests are Rob Wilkins and Marc Burrows) interview each other as the Committee decide to take the morning off** to relacks*** and enjoy the show.

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* It's a mystery as to which two guests will be on stage. It may depend on which of them get up early on Monday.
** The committee never get time off
*** The committee don't even know how to spell "relacks".

The grand finale, watch as the best of the best, the finalists of all previous Mastermind rounds, battle it out to become IDWCon Mastermind Champion!

THEATRICS INCLUDED Act 3.0
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And so another IDWCon comes to a close. It is always an emotional moment, but please come and join us as we share the highlights of the weekend and ensure you have a send-off that will have you clamouring back for more

A talk by the renowned Dr Terri Simpkin on Imposter Phenomenon

Ever feel like you don’t belong? Many of us go through life with a nagging feeling of intellectual fraudulence that simply can't be explained – but Dr Terri Simpkin is here to explore the complexities of Imposter Phenomenon through a Disc- and Roundworld lense

A game where participants must describe a Discworld book without using specific words or phrases

How well can you describe a Discworld novel? How about we take away some characters, or professions, or (some) words? Come along to this hilarious game, schemed up by our very own GamesMistress and see just how devilishly tricky it is

A fun, simple ice-breaker! Borrowing is a game that involves lots of chair/name swapping and lets you take on the role of any Discworld character.

Any feedback? Come along and let us know any keen observations and constructive feedback on how we could have done things better, what worked really well (or maybe less well), as a committee we'd love to hear it

The Traditional* end to an IDWCon is an opportunity for members to come together** and share in the national delights of the many countries represented***.

Basically this is your final chance to get rid of the sweets, biscuits and cakes you lugged over so that you have room in your bags for the merchandise and auction items you purchased.

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* Look up and to the Left "Tradition"
** Wash your mind out
*** Despite the name there are many people at the Con NOT from Ireland.

Come and watch the animated adventures of Maurice

To paraphrase the song from Rocky Horror -

Terry Pratchett (ooh ooh ooh), Double Feature
The gopher will, be there to meet ya
See Cohen fighting (ooh ooh ooh), The Troll Mica
Julie Walters (ooh ooh ooh), voices Granny
At the early afternoon, double feature picture show.

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

A puzzle game for teams of up to 6 people.
Fancy yourself a puzzle-solver? Think you're un-belwilderable? Try your hand at solving this fiendishly fun escape room before the sands stop flowing! Time definitely doesn't stand still in this escape room!

LAST CHANCE to use up all your cash or empty your bank account .

Fancy a trinket, maybe a souvenir to remember the weekend? Come along to the Bizarre Bazaar and peruse the wares of our most excellent dealers, as they do their best to exchange
your coin for their shiniest of items.

Please note this event is ticketed, and tickets must be purchased before the Convention.

Meet Matt of BrickMorpork for an interactive workshop to complete your own Discworld-themed Lego build