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Belmont Demesne is a working farm consisting of a mixture of fenced off fields with patches of forest. The main area of forest is attractive mixed deciduous with various line features and brambles (which can and should be avoided). The amount of technical map-reading (for experienced orienteers) is limited by the size of the area and by the presence of numerous fences.
See https://belmontdemesne.ie/ for more details including photos.
Courses
Short - 1.5km. Suitable for beginners and young children/families (Under 10s accompanied, over 12 with some experience alone)
Medium - ca 3km. Suitable for those with a little map reading experience or adventurous teenagers/adults
Long - ca 4.5km. Suitable for those with experience only.
Experienced orienteers may find this area too easy - this event is aimed at newcomers and juniors.
Parking charge
There is ample parking in Belmont Demesne. Please follow any directions given by organising marshalls. There is a charge payable on exit of €3 (coins or contactless bank cards accepted).
Cafe/Toilets
At the heart of Belmont Demesne is Arthur's Barn (and courtyard). This is the original barn used in the film 'King Arthur' which was shot here. It's now a full cafe with design shop, toilets, good coffee and a nice ambience. Additionally Firehouse cafe have a mobile van outside in the courtyard also doing coffee, toasted sandwiches etc.
Please consider staying for a while to support these local businesses!
Registration/Start/Finish
Registration will be in the courtyard. Once you have parked make your way to Registration if you need to hire an SI card/leave car keys or directly to the start if you have your own SI card. The start and finish will be located on the West side of the car park (the side looking up to the Little Sugarloaf).
Fences/Walls
Please note that as this is a working farm you must not climb any walls, fences or closed gates. Crossing is only by way of pedestrian gates or gates that have been opened for us. Any competitors seen climbing walls, gates or fences will be disqualified.
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times (as this is a working farm).
Mountain Bikes/Pedestrians
Mountain Bikes (Long course only); the Long course may briefly cross the 'Fatbike Adventures' red mountain bike trail. Bikes have the right of way and orienteers must make way. The bike trails are well indicated with signage and it is up to orienteers to watch out for descending bikes. Throughout Belmont orienteers are sharing with walkers, pedestrians, bikers etc. You must be courteous at all times.
Technical Information
The map is being finalised and most likely to be scale 1:5,000 (contours probably 2.5m) printed on waterproof paper (we may squeeze it onto A4 at 1:4,000 but this is not a Sprint area). There won't be loose control descriptions, only control descriptions printed on the map. Descriptions for Medium and Short will be in English, probably symbols for the Long course. The controls won't be SportIdent ActiveCard (SIAC "Air") enabled.
Due to the limited size of the area course lengths are shorter than 'usual' with Long course 4.5km straight lines. The Long course will have some dog-legs and some legs with only single route choice. |
