All the money raised from next Sunday's "Come-and-try-it" event at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, will be given to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine appeal.

%0D%0A

There will be three courses of about 3, 4 and 6 km and start times are from 11 am to 1 pm. The maps are pre-marked and controls will be SIAC (contactless). The map is 1:7500 scale, A4. The two longer courses will cross roads. Control descriptions will be in text on the front of the map. The maps will not be printed on waterproof paper so you might like to bring a plastic bag to protect yours.

%0D%0A

The terrain is mostly parkland with paths and scattered trees. There is a stream running through the middle (the Griffeen River) but the courses are designed to encourage you to cross this at bridges.

%0D%0A

Entry fees on the day are €4 for juniors, €6 for students/unwaged/over 65's, and €8 for adults. You can enter the event in advance online here and get half-price entry (€2, €3 and €4). Online entries are open until 12 midday on Saturday. Entering in advance makes it much easier for the organisers. There are no toilets at the event - the closest toilets are in the nearby SuperValu shopping centre.

%0D%0A

In addition to the event entry fee there is a link on the entry page to make an additional donation to the Red Cross appeal and there will be opportunities to make a donation on the day as well. If you're not coming to the event you might like to make a donation to this appeal anyway: you can do it here.

%0D%0A

The event will start from the car park on Hayden's Lane, the same place as the Christmas Score event started. See the location map here. From the N4, take Exit 4 and follow the R120 south, following signs for Adamstown. After about 700m turn left onto the L1011 and turn right after a further 440m. The car park is on the left.

%0D%0A

After your course, you might like to visit the 13th Century King John's Bridge in the northern part of the area, believed to be the oldest bridge still standing in the country. Read about it here.

%0D%0A

Thanks to South County Dublin County Council for permission to run this event. We have invited local schools, sports groups and Parkrunners to come along and try orienteering so we hope to have plenty of beginners on the day.

%0D%0A

3ROC

%0D%0A

A reminder that half-price entry online for this event closes at 12.00 midday on Saturday 12th March. The entry fees and donations will go straight to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine fund. You can still enter the three courses on the day but it's easier for the organisers if you enter beforehand. Here's the link for entries: Griffeen entry.

%0D%0A

We hope to see you on Sunday and thank you for supporting the event. Thanks also to SDCC for permission and to PrintReady in Glasnevin for sponsoring the maps.

%0D%0A

3ROC

Thanks to everyone for supporting the Griffeen come-and-try-it event yesterday. We raised €700 for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine appeal, plus whetever additional donations were made using the link on the event entry page. If you would still like to make an online donation to the appeal, here is the link:

%0D%0A

Irish Red Cross Ukraine Appeal.

%0D%0A

John McC, 3ROC