Irish Champs Header


Looking for information about the 2023 Irish Champs?

Get all the information you need at the dedicated site here


Thursday, May 30, 2019

2019 Summer Series No. 4 - Newbridge Sprint

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Newbridge next Tuesday evening, June 4th, for the fourth event in the CNOC summer series.

Parking and registration are at St. Conleth and Mary’s Primary School, Newbridge. Parking will be available from 4:30 pm. Start times are from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

There will be three courses on offer:

Adventure – 1.1 km
Medium – 3.5 km
Long – 4.8 km

There is a high density of controls and you are advised to CHECK YOUR CONTROL CODES! The distance for the medium and long courses is the optimal length. Both medium and long courses have a two-sided map. There will be a prize for the ‘fastest split’ for the fastest male and female on leg 11 of both long and medium courses. How fast can you choose the shortest route and run it as quickly and accurately as you can?

Entry fees:
  • Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5 (€4 for club members) 
  • Adults - €8 (€7 for club members) 
  • Family - €20 (€15 for club members - 2 adults + kids)
If you are not a member of a club, you can join CNOC for free on the night (annual membership from next year is only €10 per family).

Si-cards will be used for timing (no SIAC) - if you need to rent an Si-card, you can do so at registration for €2 (€40 fee if not returned).

This event is part of Newbridge JuneFest. For other events, see http://www.junefest.ie. Why not arrive early and warm up in the ‘Yarn Bombed’ Linear Park? https://www.junefest.ie/portfolio/yarn-bomb/

We are very thankful to a number of people for allowing permission to use their grounds for this event – St. Conleth and Mary’s Primary School, Patrician Primary School, Patrician Brothers, St. Conleth’s Church, the Holy Family Secondary School and the Holy Family Convent. Thank you!

Organiser: Michael Malone
Planner: Niamh O’Boyle

Looking forward to challenging you to find the best route choices. Hope to see you all there!

Thursday, May 23, 2019

2019 Summer Series No. 3 - Donadea Forest Park

The summer series continues with a jaunt around Donadea, one of the nicest forest parks in Kildare. Acres of mature Coniferous plantations, areas with great runnability, a lake, and the odd patch of brambles. Only a few mind, and the courses have been planned to help you stay in the nice bits, and avoid the spikey bits. The Adventure course is entirely on paths, so no worries there!

Start times are from 18:30 to 19:30, and there are three courses available:

Adventure: 2.3km
Medium: 5.0km
Long: 6.5km

The courses are all essentially flat, as there are no major hills in the park.

Registration, Start and Finish are all based in the main carpark, signposted at the forest entrance only.

The forest entrance barrier will be raised, so you shouldn't need to pay to enter. Since the barrier will close automatically at 9pm, we will be *strictly* enforcing last starts at 7:30pm, course close at 8:30pm, otherwise we will be unable to take in all the controls in time.

Donadea on Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/AZHKKHsTv1EyxrwM9

Entry fees:
* Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5 (€4 for club members)
* Adults - €8 (€7 for club members)
* Family - €20 (€15 for club members - 2 adults + kids)

If you are not a member of a club, you can join CNOC for free on the night (annual membership from next year is only €10 per family).

Si-cards will be used for timing (no SIAC) - if you need to rent an Si-card, you can do so at registration for €2 (€40 fee if not returned).

Hope to see you all there!

Thursday, May 16, 2019

2019 Summer Series No. 2 - Mullaghreelan Wood

Mullaghreelan wood is an old woodland estate with an extensive network of forest roads and trails. It has a rich diversity of flora and fauna with a wide range of tree species including oak, ash, beech, spruce, pine and firs. Ground cover varies from areas with an extensive covering of bluebells to ivy covered easy running to other areas with undergrowth of varying density, map has had extensive updates over the last couple of weeks and courses are planned to avoid areas of dense undergrowth.

Start times are from 18:30 to 19:30, and there are three courses available:

Adventure: 1.6km, 50m, 9 controls
Medium: 2.9km, 90m, 19 controls
Long: 4.6km, 130m, 23 controls

Registration, Start and Finish are all based in the carpark, it is a small carpark so please carpool if possible, we'll have event signposted from Castledermot.

Directions from Naas: Head to Kilcullen; take R448 (old Waterford road) to Castledermot; turn right at traffic lights in Castledermot onto R418 (Athy road); Mullaghreelan is approx 4km from Castledermot on your right hand side.

Directions from Dublin: N7 out of Dublin; after passing Naas take M9 (Kilkenny/Waterford road); exit at Junction 4 (Castledermot); take 1st left off roundabout; turn left at traffic lights in Castledemrot onto R418 (Athy road); Mullaghreelan is approx 4km from Castledermot on your right hand side.

N7 is very busy with road works, alternative routes:
Option 1: take N81 (Blessington Road) out of Dublin and travel cross-country from Hollywood to Dunlavin on towards Crookstown and then to Castledermot.
Option 2: take N81 to Baltinglass, as you exit town follow signs for Casteldermot.

Directions from Athy: N78 out of Athy; turn right (signposted Kilkea) after Athy Rugby club; Mullaghreelan is your left hand side approx 1km from Kilkea Castle.

Mullaghreelan Wood on Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7dkYFRvwTegFJyay7

Entry fees:
* Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5 (€4 for club members)
* Adults - €8 (€7 for club members)
* Family - €20 (€15 for club members - 2 adults + kids)

If you are not a member of a club, you can join CNOC for free on the night (annual membership from next year is only €10 per family).

Si-cards will be used for timing (no SIAC) - if you need to rent an Si-card, you can do so at registration for €2 (€40 fee if not returned).

Hope to see you all there!

CNOC 2019 Summer Series

What is it?

We annually organize a series of orienteering events on Tuesday evenings (from 6:30pm) throughout May and June, held at locations in the Kildare and West Wicklow area. They are suitable for beginners, improvers and more experienced orienteers. Guidance, advice and coaching will be available at all the events - just ask any of the organisers!

The events also form a competitive league, with points awarded each night. There will be small prizes awarded, during our annual BBQ after the last event.


When are they on?

This Years Events are as follows:
  • 14th May 2019 - Naas (Lakelands)
  • 21st May 2019 - Mullaghcreelan Woods
  • 28th May 2019 - Donadea Forest Park
  • 4th June 2019 - Newbridge Urban Event
  • 11th June 2019 - Curragh (Sunnyhill End)
  • 18th June 2019 - Hollywood (including BBQ)

Detailed information for each event will be posted online each week on the CNOC Facebook page, the Orienteering.ie Forums and the CNOC Website. We also email the information to all members on the club mailing list

What does it cost?

Entries are paid at the registration tent at each event. Typically, they are:

  • Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5 (€4 for club members)
  • Adults - €8 (€7 for club members)
  • Family - €20 (€15 for club members - 2 adults + kids)

If you're not a member of a club, and would like to join CNOC on the night, we're offering free membership for the first year – its only €10 per family annually anyways!

If you need to hire an SI card (used for the event timing), we also rent them for €2, to be returned at the finish. Lost cards cost €40 to replace!

What do I need to bring with me?

Suitable clothing, depending on the weather and if you want to jog or walk – so either running kit, or outdoor clothing. A watch is useful to keep an eye on your time. If you have a compass you can bring one, but its not essential for beginners

Can I go around with my Family/Friends?

Yes, groups are allowed, bring the grandparents as well. If you want to bring a dog, that’s generally not a problem, just use common sense – clean up after them, and keep them on a lead.

I’m a complete beginner – can I still go?

Yes, at every event, the volunteers running the event will be happy to show you the basics – we all start somewhere! 

Friday, May 10, 2019

CNOC Summer Series 2019 - No 1, Naas (Lakelands)

Its back! The first event in the 2019 Summer Series takes place next Tuesday night (14th) on our urban Naas map.

Registration/Start and Finish are all based in the rear carpark in Naas Hospital (Beside St Marys building) - the event will be signposted from the main hospital entrance. Just look out for the two green club tents!

Google maps: http://g.co/maps/zahsb

Start times are from 18:30 to 19:30, and there are three courses as usual:

Adventure: 1.5km
Medium: 4km
Long: 5.1km

The event is planned/organised by Eileen Loughman, and promises to be a good evening out for all the family. Youth groups, beginners, improvers and experienced orienteers all equally welcome. If you are planning on bringing a large group (scouts for example), it would be useful if you could drop us a message beforehand, so we can ensure we print enough maps for everyone.

Entry fees are the same as last year:

* Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5 (€4 for club members)
* Adults - €8 (€7 for club members)
* Family - €20 (€15 for club members - 2 adults + kids)

If you are not a member of a club, you can join CNOC for free on the night (annual membership from next year is only €10 per family)

SI cards will be used for timing - if you need to rent one, you can do so at registration for €2 (€40 fee if not returned)