Leinster League Event – Curragh, Co. Kildare December 4th 2022

Our next event takes place at Curragh East, this coming Sunday 4th December. Start times available from 11am to 1am. Courses close at 3:00pm.

Whether you are a complete novice, a family, or a seasoned veteran, there is a course to suit. If you are new to orienteering, drop us an email beforehand, or ask us on the day (at the event) for advice. I'd suggest beginner children or families start on the Yellow course, and beginner adults could try the Red course - both are technically easy, the only difference being the length involved.

Location and Directions:
Grid Reference N 79040 11687
Google maps: https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.150714,-6.8188034,17z

 
Directions from M7: Take Exit 13 from Southbound carriageway on the M7. At the roundabout, take the first exit, signposted Kilcullen & Athgarvan onto the R413.  Continue on R413 for 850ms to Lumville Cross Roads . Turn right onto L7042. Continue for 800ms and take the first right onto the access road for the Curragh Rugby Club. Turn right into their grounds. Parking is in the grounds of the rugby club. Assembly and download are in the grounds of the Defence Forces Sports Grounds and toilets are available in the club house. The Curragh Golf Club is marked on all maps as out of bounds. Use of any paths through the Golf Club is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

Terrain:
The Curragh’s open, undulating grassland makes for fast, unimpeded running.Furze is the dominant flora with some distinct stands of trees. Not every bush or man/sheep made track is mapped and navigational care should be taken. The Yellow and Orange courses are predominantly flat and are on grass and tracks. Depending on the weather on the days up to the event, they may be terrain buggy friendly. Neither they, nor Light Green, cross public roads. Brown, Blue, Green and Red courses cross public roads – be vigilant. As a result of recent heavy rain, the ground is waterlogged in places and conditions are slippery. Wear appropriate footwear with full body cover.

Courses:
All courses have a 1 km walk to their start. The route to the start will be signed. There is a 500m walk from the finish to the Defence Forces Sports Ground.

Course Details:

Course Length Climb No. of Controls
Yellow 2.4kms 10ms 11
Orange 2.8kms 20ms 11
Red 5.2kms 30ms 12
Light Green 4.4kms 35ms 13
Short Green 6.1kms 65ms 14
Green 7.9kms 75ms 18
Blue 9.2kms 110ms 19
Brown 10.9kms 130ms 23

A STRING COURSE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN AT THE ASSEMBLY AREA.
 
SIAC:
SIAC will be enabled - please make sure to clear and check properly at the start to turn on your SIAC dibber. (Punching start and finish)

Maps:
The maps will be printed on A4 waterproof paper. Control descriptions will be printed on all maps while loose descriptions will be available at the start. Yellow and Orange courses will be scaled at 1:5,000. All other courses will be scaled at 1;10,000.

Entries:
Entries via the online system at https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/curragh/ Entries Close on Friday, December 2nd at 24:00. There will be no entries available on the day. If you need to hire an SI card, you can indicate this on the entry form - these will be pre-allocated, and can be collected at registration, to be returned at the finish. Lost cards cost €40 to replace! Registration will be used for collection of SI rentals and downloading of results. If you plan to bring a group, please contact us at cnoc@orienteering.ie ahead of time so that we can have maps and SI cards available to you promptly.

Results:
Results will be posted on https://www.orienteering.ie

Prices:
* Adults  €8
* Students, Juniors and those over 65 years €5
* Family: 2 Adults and up to 5 Juniors €20
    
Dogs:
The Curragh is sheep country! While dogs are allowed, they must be kept on a leash.

Litter:
Please bring your waste home with you - do not expect the organisers to take it away for you!

Covid-19:
Please study the Irish Orienteering Association's Covid-19 guidelines (https://www.orienteering.ie/about-us/covid-19-return-to-orienteering/) carefully and pay special attention to the Participant Code of Conduct.

Leinster League Event - Dysart, Co Laois

Our next event takes place at Dysart Woods, outside Stradbally, Co. Laois, this coming Sunday 25th September. Start times available from 11am to 1pm. Courses close at 3pm.

Parking is located in a field off the N80 please be careful getting in and out of the parking area, with a short walk to the start/finish (5 min).

Link to Parking/Registration is here: - https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1AQEhfspHScS8HKyNf66HlMq-NQRyF0Y&usp=sharing

As a league event, there will be the usual colour courses on offer:

•     Brown: 7.18km, 25 controls,  1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Blue: 6.28km, 22 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Blue: 6.28km, 22 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Green: 4.6km, 16 controls,  1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Short Green: 2.74km, 11 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Light Green: 3.99km, 14 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Red: 3.16km, 12 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Orange 2.86km, 11 controls, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Yellow 1.43 km ,  9 controls, 1:5000 scale on A4 paper
  

SIAC will be enabled. If you are an early runner, you may have to manually puch to wake up the control (if you are the first visitor to it)

Whether you are a complete novice, a family, or a seasoned veteran, there is a course to suit. If you are new to orienteering, drop us an email beforehand, or ask us on the day (at the event) for advice. I'd suggest beginner children or families start on the Yellow course, and beginner adults could try the Red course - both are technically easy, the only difference being the length/climb involved.

Entries are available up to Friday night @ midnight via the online system at https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/carrigmael-dysart/ - There won't be any entries available on the day - registration tent will only be for SI rental pickup, and result downloads.

If you need to hire an SI card, you can indicate this on the entry form - these can be collected at registration, to be returned at the finish. Lost cards cost €40 to replace!

If you are planning on bringing a group, it would be imperative to contact us ahead of time, so we can ensure we print enough maps, etc.

Summer Series 2022 - No 5 - Curragh (Sunnyhill)

Our next evening event takes place this coming Tuesday, June 7th. Start times from to 18:00 to 19:20. Courses close at 20:30.

LOCATION:
Please note - The start location is different to recent events - you'll find it here:
Grid Reference: N 80043 10071
Google maps: https://goo.gl/maps/cmmJNziauoBgGB1r7
Lat, Long: 53.135250, -6.803795

Directions from M7: Take exit 13 from the Southbound carriageway on the M7. At the roundabout, take
the1st exit, signposted Kilcullen and Athgarvan onto the R413. Continue on the R413 for I.8km. Turn right onto
L7034, just before Donnelly’s Hollow, keeping to the leftmost road. Continue straight on for a further 1.6kms.
Parking will be on your right. Assembly and download will be in that area.

COURSES:

There are 3 courses planned:
Adventure 2.3kms, 10 controls, 1:7,500 scale
Medium 5.5kms, 14 controls, 1:10,000 scale
Long 7.8kms, 21 controls, 1:10,000 scale

TERRAIN:

The Curragh’s open, undulating grassland makes for fast, unimpeded running. Furze is the dominant flora with
some distinct stands of trees. Not every bush or man/sheep made track is marked and navigational care should
be taken. The Adventure course is predominantly on grassy tracks and given the recent dry weather is terrain
buggy friendly. This course does not cross a road.

Whether you are a complete novice, a family, or a seasoned veteran, there is a course to suit. The Adventure
Course is suitable for families or beginners. The Medium course is suitable for experienced orienteers and adult
beginners and improvers who have map reading skills with off-track running/walking. The Long course is
suitable for adult improvers and experienced people who are good at map reading and have compass skills.

SIAC: will be enabled - punching start and finish!

MAPS: The maps will be printed on waterproof paper. Control descriptions will be printed on all maps with
loose descriptions available at the start.

ENTRIES: Courses can be entered up to Monday, June 6 th at 9:00am.
https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/curragh-sunnyhill-6/
If you plan to bring a group, please contact us at cnoc@orienteering.ie ahead of time so that we can have maps
and SI cards available to you promptly.

RESULTS: Results will be posted on www.orienteering.ie

PRICES: Adults, €8, Students, Unwaged and Over 65yrs €5, Family -2 adults and up to 5 juniors €20.

DOGS: The Curragh is sheep country! While dogs are allowed, they must be kept on a leash.

Summer Series 2022 - No 4 - Donadea Forest Park

The Summer Series continues with our next event in Donadea Forest Park. This takes place this coming Tuesday 31st May, with starts available from 6pm to 7:20pm.

The entrance to the park is located at: https://goo.gl/maps/fdU9Z3q7TnodMQLu8 - Parking is in the main (large) car park.

There is a new barrier in operation slightly further in from the usual entrance to the park. We *hope* to have this raised for the duration of the event. In the event it is not, there would be a €5 Coillte entry fee, which can be paid at the barrier using any contactless debit/credit card - note that it no longer accepts cash! The main forest gate still closes automatically at 9pm, so all entrants need to have vacated the forest before this - bear this in mind when choosing a start time! Coillte's security company charge a €50 fee to release vehicles which are locked in.

Composting toilets will be available near the Carpark. Please bring your own hand sanitiser.

Whether you are a complete novice, a family, or a seasoned veteran, there is a course to suit. The Adventure Course (all on tracks) is suitable for families or beginners. The Medium course is suitable for experienced orienteers and adult beginners and improvers who can cope with some off-track forest running/walking. The Long course is suitable for adult improvers and experienced people who are good at map reading and compass skills. There is quite a bit of undergrowth in the forest at this time of year, and we don't advise route choices through areas marked with undergrowth symbol (green vertical lines). The courses have been planned to avoid the worst undergrowth.

Three (3) courses are planned as follows:

    Adventure (3km, 11 controls)
    Medium (4.9km, 16 controls)
    Long (6.6km, 19 controls)

The forest is mostly flat, so climb is negligible on all courses.

Entry fees are the usual:

    Adults: €8 / person
    Children: €4 / child
    Student: €5 / student
    Unwaged: €5 / person
    OAP: €5 / person
    Family Discount: €20 (Maximum of 2 Adults and no more than 5 family members / family)

As with all recent events, we prefer pre-entry via the online entry system. There will be limited entry on the day (by the number of spare maps we print). If you need to hire an SI card, we also rent them for €2, to be returned at the finish. Lost cards cost €40 to replace!

Enter online here: https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/donadea-18/

If you're not a member of a club, and would like to join CNOC on the day, we're offering free membership for the first year (its only €7 a year per adult after that anyways - full rates on cnoc.ie)

If you are planning on bringing a group, it would be useful to contact us ahead of time, so we can ensure we print enough maps, etc.

Summer Series 2022 - No 3, Emo Court

Entries are still open for tomorrow nights event in Emo - https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/emo-court-8/

Course lengths are as follows:

 

SHORT 2.5 km

Medium 5km

Long 8km

 

Courses will cover tracks, paths,  parkland and forest. Some parts of the forest has brashings  from recent thinnings that will impede running. Other areas of the forest has undergrowth shown with green vertical lines. Full leg cover for medium and long courses is recommended.

 

SIAC will be enabled, punching start and finish.

 

Car park is at: https://goo.gl/maps/6QHc2RNkGoqLjAXC9   From the M7, use Junction 15 as best (closest) exit.

 

Summer Series 2022 - No 2 - Curragh (Lumville Cross)

 The next Summer Series event takes place this coming Tuesday evening, 17th May

Parking at the Defense Forces Sports Club, short walk to the start/finish (5 min). Link to Parking/Registration is here: https://goo.gl/maps/nnqr7PiaWfujSJpi8

There will be three courses on offer:

•     Adventure: 1.9km, 9 controls, 10m climb, 1:5000 scale on A4 paper
•     Medium: 4.6km, 12 controls, 75m climb, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper
•     Long: 7.5km, 17 controls, 130m climb, 1:10000 scale on A4 paper

Starts from 6pm-7:20pm (sharp) - Courses close at 8:30pm

SIAC will be enabled - punching start and finish.

The adventure course is contained within the grassy area next to the R413 - there is no need to cross any busy roads. Suitable for off-road style buggies (mostly on grass).

The medium and long will both cross the R413 road (twice)  through the Curragh, close to Donnellys Hollow/Athgarvan - care should be taken, as although traffic volumes will be low and visibility is good, there will be a chance of meeting some vehicles. We may setup an optional crossing point if conditions warrant it.

Dogs welcome, but must be kept on a leash and controlled - the Curragh is full of sheep and lambs, and loose dogs have been shot in the past

Entries online where possible please to guarantee a map - limited entries on the night available (depending on map valumes)

https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/curragh-lumville/

Hope to see you there!

CNOC Summer Series 2022 - No 1, Naas

Our Summer series kicks off (after the Covid absense) on Tuesday, May 10th in Naas town. The map has been extended from previous years to include more of the area to the east and west of Lakelands.

Parking and registration are at Ballykane Church Car Park (Eircode: W91K6CT). Parking will be available from 5:30 pm. Start times are from 6:00 pm to 7:20 pm.

Google map to get you to this location: https://goo.gl/maps/qyJfGE544Vog9TyS6

There will be three courses on offer:

• Adventure – 2.3 km (suitable for beginners)
• Medium – 4.5 km
• Long – 5.3 km

Entry fees are the usual:

• Children/Students/OAP/Unwaged - €5
• Adults - €8
• Family - €20

Enter online at: https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/naas-urban/. There will be limited entry-on-the-day, depending on map availability. To secure an entry, the online system is preferable. Online entries close Monday night at 23:59

You dont need to be a member of a club to take part - if you would like, 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 (enquire at start to see if SIAC is enabled or not) - if you need to rent an Si-card, you can do so at registration for €2 (€40 fee if not returned).

Organiser: Pat Healy
Planner: Eileen Loughman

(Finally  - apologies for late notice, bit swamped atm.)

Post Curragh Sunnyhill - Night O, Sat Feb 26th

 Night orienteering this weekend on Saturday night (Feb 26th 2022) at Sunnyhill the Curragh, Co Kildare.

Start point GPS Coordinates: Lat 53.128100 Lon -6.78990.
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/W4C3rLw9b5umUjZEA

Navigating at night is for the intrepid or experienced only. Any juniors under 16 should be accompanied - it's much more challenging than during the day. The bigger your headtorch the better. Sunnyhill is the technical part of The Curragh. The map Scale is 1:7500, Contours 2.5m and has recently been completely resurveyed Jan2022 with gorse (green) up to date. The long Course for experienced is 6.2km and the short course is 3.5km and is be a great adventure for accompanied younger orienteers (or older unaccompanied ones!).

Points to note:
* Despite the challenge of night orienteering the area is open grassland, gorse
Pits, Depressions and Trench systems. (some are steep and deep).
* The WW1 trench training systems are shown in blue as for ditch symbol.
* Grass tracks and paths are shown in black on the map but are difficult tomake out at night.
* People walking slowly should take up to an hour for the shortest course (it doesn't matter if you don't get all the flags)
* If in doubt pick a shorter course
* You must enter online: https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/curragh-east-19/
* You don't have to be in a club to take part
* You can go in pairs, groups or individually.
* If you are really unsure you can be facilitated to start before dark.

Donadea Come-and-Try-It event - Jan 23rd 2022

Our annual beginners event in Donadea Forest Park takes place this coming Sunday 23rd Jan , with starts available from 10am to 1am. 

There will be no barrier in operation due to  maintenance works being carried out by Coillte. Please use the Temporary entrance through the old Archway. There will likely be a Coillte employee there to help direct traffic to the temporary entrance (if in doubt)

 Composting toilets  will be available near the Carpark. Please bring your own hand sanitiser.

Whether you are a complete novice, a family, or a seasoned veteran, there is a course to suit. The Adventure Course (all on tracks) is suitable for families or beginners. The Medium course is suitable for experienced orienteers and adult beginners and improvers who can cope with off track forest running/walking. The Long course is suitable for adult improvers and experienced people who are good at map reading and compass  skills.

Three (3) courses are planned as follows:

• Adventure (3km)
• Medium (5km)
• Long (8km)

Entry fees are the usual:

• Adults: €8 / person
• Children: €4 / child
• Student: €5 / student
• Unwaged: €5 / person
• OAP: €5 / person
• Family Discount: €20 (Maximum of 2 Adults and no more than 5 family members / family)

As with all recent events, entry via this online entry system only. There will be no entry on the day. If you need to hire an SI card, we also rent them for €2, to be returned at the finish. Lost cards cost €40 to replace!

Enter online here: https://www.orienteering.ie/fixtures/donadea-17/

If you're not a member of a club, and would like to join CNOC on the day, we're offering free membership for the first year (its only €7 a year per adult after that anyways - full rates on cnoc.ie)

If you are planning on bringing a group, it would be useful to contact us ahead of time, so we can ensure we print enough maps, etc.