Permanent Orienteering Courses- a great resource

At this time of the year our Irish orienteering fixtures get a little quiet. however, there is no need to let this stop you orienteering!

Permanent Orienteering courses can be used by anyone from beginners to the more advanced orienteer. Schools and youth groups as well as families can use them to introduce and train in map reading and orienteering. They can also be used to get accustomed to navigating and using a map without the distraction of competitors around you at an organised club event.

There are numerous permanent orienteering courses around Ireland. These courses consist of permanent markers, which are placed around a mapped area. The markers are heavy wooden stakes with an orienteering logo and often a code on the post too, which identifies the post you have found.

Details of where you can access maps are found in the information attached to each location. A list of permanant orienteering courses around Ireland can be found here.

In addition, a new permanent course was launched at Kilbarry Nature Park very recently.

Cork Orienteering Club have a great beginners guide which will help you use the courses.

If you would like to make your own course using the maps download Purple Pen, a downloadable programme for making orienteering courses from a blank map. This programme has been developed as a free software, however donations to help fund it’s future improvements are welcomed by the developer. It’s very simple to use with a little practice. Alternatively buy a strongly coloured marker and your ruler!

Above all get outside and enjoy our great outdoors this summer.

The Irish Orienteering Association are always interested in suggestions for new areas that could be mapped for orienteering both for permanent courses and competitive events. If you have any suggestions please get in contact at development@orienteering.ie.