Heyho, 

Yeah, the courses are middle distance style races - the forest isn't really big enough for a proper long course without making people run loops and loops of the place. I've planned here twice before, and the abundance of paths make longer courses degrade into path runs as well - hopefully shorter courses with more twists and turns will try to avoid (most) of that.

The terrain itself is deciduous forest, and based around several steep hills with old exposed limestone features throughout. Even though the courses are shorter than a typical league event, there's quite a bit of climbing in several parts, which should satisfy the physical requirements of longer courses (combined with the shorter distance and closer controls giving less opportunity to relax).

The conditions are quite good in a lot of the forest - the worst section is the part closest to the start/finish, so most courses try to move through that quickly to the better forests beyond. Even the worst stuff isn't too bad, but I wouldn't plan long routes through anything mapped as thick undergrowth, or darker green forest. Weather is looking ok, rain should die off by 11am

Parking will be tight, as.its not a huge car park, so bear that in mind. There is some overflow parking a wee bit down the main road towards Stradbally at the cemetery, but we'll try to avoid having to use it.

Lastly, the event also serves as the final selection race for the JHI, so I was trying to plan something a little challenging for the juniors. It's hard to know how they will find it, but time will tell. Best of luck to you all.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, let me know how you get on

Dave

Results are up now, let me know of any issues:

https://www.orienteering.ie/result2/?oaction=moreResult&id=23024

Generally positive feedback, people seemed to think the middle distance format made the best use of the area, and also made a welcome change from the standard Leinster League format. In my opinion, there's room in the league for more varied competitions, like middle distances, or longer urban events.

The course results/times look pretty good, the green looks like it maybe was pitched a smidge too long/physical - I'd be interested on thoughts from people who did it. It was basically a trimmed down blue, but maybe not trimmed enough. Green is the most popular course typically, so it's an important one to get right. Also annoyed at myself for leaving the steep descent near 209 on the Short Green course - in hindsight, the target demographic for the course found this tricky to descend.

Other notes from today: it was noted that the control descriptions for a distinct tree would be better if we (everyone) used the distinct broad-leaved or distinct needle-leaved variant - good point, well made. We also got caught by some extra small tracks between the two hilltops at the lower part of the map, only noticed during final checks. All we could do at that point was put some last-minute map correction notices in the start blocks, so apologies to anyone who missed them. I don't think they were course-breaking, but every little bit of info helps. 

So generally - no major complaints, and lots of happy orienteers. Thanks all for coming, and making it a success.

Splitsbrowser for this event,

https://www.orienteering.ie/results/splitsbrowser.php?23024

Belated thanks - that was wonderful.
I did find it hard to distinguish walls from tracks.... not sure if anyone else thought similar.... or maybe I should go to Specsavers?!
The few small new tracks at the south end were a bonus to find but the kind of thing you see a lot in forest, particularly from mountain bike activity.

Thanks again!