A convention celebrating all things Potter is coming to the capital
B.J. Quinn
Calling all Wizards! Are you a Dumbledork or a Grindelwally? Do you know your Pepper Imps from your Cauldron Cakes, your Hippogriffs from your Glumbumbles? Ever take those online surveys that aim to tell you which Hogwarts house you belong to? – Ravenclaw!? As if! Well, look no further: Dublin’s annual Wizard Con is set to return to the RDS to celebrate all things Potter.
Run by a team of volunteers, Dublin Wizard Con is a fan focused event geared to connecting wizards through magical, interactive activities all housed in Dublin’s famous RDS venue. The third edition of the event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, with profits going to Barnardos, Dogs Trust and Pieta House.
There’s plenty to do: bingo, game shows, spectacular set pieces for photo ops, cosplay competitions, treasure hunts, actor Q&As, a carnival, tattoos and live entertainment.
And, yes, before you ask, there will be Wand Workshops available, so get memorising those spells. My favourite activity on offer, though, has to be Broom Rodeo, which is exactly what you think it is. “Hold on tight, and win a point for your house in flight!”
This year’s special guests include Durmstrang Triwizard heartthrob and Bulgarian Seeker extraordinaire Stan Yanevski, best known for playing Viktor Krum in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Also speaking at this year’s event is Paul Warren.
Although now known for his creature performing work, Warren began his film career as a body double for Daniel Radcliffe on the film Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix. Additional guests are still to be announced.
Tickets cost €35 for an adult and €25 for a child. Tickets are available online only and must be pre-booked in advance – they will not be available on the door. Tickets are available via dublinwizardcon.ie. Fans of any age are welcome to attend Wizard Con; it is a family friendly show with lots to do for all ages. A child ticket covers ages 5-16 and tiny wizards under 5 get in free, huzzah!
Doors open at 11am and close at 7pm each day. You can come and go as much as you’d like, but are advised to arrive early in order to have time to experience as much as you can.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Founder of Wizard Con Melissa Hayward noted, “a lot of people say it’s like arriving in Hogwarts. We’ve had people cry because it’s overwhelming. When you walk in the door, we have all the sets from the films.” So what are you waiting for, folks?
Have your broomsticks and wands at the ready, join the fun, make magic, make friends and help us raise some money for charity.
