Convention Policies

All attendees must comply with the Eirtakon convention policies. Attending Eirtakon signifies that you have read and agreed to the convention policies.

Copies of the convention policies will be available on request, on the website and at the registration desk over the weekend. It is your responsibility to read the convention policies beforehand and inquire about any problems or misunderstandings. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Printed media - including the conbook, timetables and signage - are correct at the time of print. However, the committee reserves the right to make changes to the timetable at any time, with limited or no prior notice. Eirtakon accepts no liability for losses incurred through any errors or omissions within any printed media.

The views and opinions expressed by volunteers or members of the committee does not necessarily represent the views of Eirtakon itself and as such should not be taken to do so unless expressly stated to.

Any attendee found to be in breach of the convention policies may have their pass revoked and be removed from the convention centre without recourse or refund. Such attendees will not be re-admitted.

The convention policies include the contents of these sub-policies:

Terms

The Eirtakon committee (also known as "the committee") refers to the group of individuals as listed on the Eirtakon Committee page, within the About section of the Eirtakon website.
An Eirtakon volunteer (also known as "volunteer") refers to any individual who is accepted by Eirtakon to work at the annual Eirtakon convention. Volunteers do not receive monetary compensation.
The convention centre refers to the areas of the Croke Park Conference Centre in which the convention is being held.
The convention staff refers to any member of the Croke Park Conference Centre staff, Eirtakon committee, or Eirtakon volunteers.

Changes to the Convention Policies

Eirtakon reserves the right to change the convention policies from time to time, to address any changes that need to be made. All changes to the convention policies will be posted on this page. In the case of any significant changes, these will be accompanied by a news post on our website and social media platforms.

If you have pre-registered for Eirtakon, and do not accept any changes to the convention policies, you must cancel your registration within 14 days of publication of the changes. Not modifying your registration signifies your acceptance of the changes.

Changes May 7th, 2013: Expanded and clarified the Props and Weapons Policy with regards to the definition of prohibited props.
Changes March 22nd, 2013: Modified the entirety of the Convention Policies to match the change of venue to the Croke Park Conference Centre.

Code of Conduct

Eirtakon is an all-ages and family-friendly convention. Please be courteous and polite to your fellow attendees, and to convention staff, guests, and committee.
Attendees are at their own risk with respect to the dangers incidental to Eirtakon, including personal injury.
Attendees agree to allow photographs and/or video footage containing their likeness taken by authorized members of convention staff or by official Eirtakon photographers to be used by Eirtakon for promotional purposes without royalties.
All personal belongings are brought at the owner's risk. Eirtakon accepts no responsibility for lost or damaged personal belongings. Any bag/item/prop etc. left unattended will be taken by convention staff to the front desk. Lost personal belongings will be held at the front desk in the convention centre. Any unclaimed lost property will be posted on the Eirtakon website within one week following the convention. Any lost property not claimed by the January 1st following the convention will be disposed of.
All attendees are expected to comply with any instruction given by convention staff, or by any convention signs or notices.
Please keep all aisles, hallways, stairways, doors and fire exits clear and free from obstructions. Please do not obstruct the flow of traffic, especially into and out of the Traders' Hall, the Artists' Alley, and the Games Room.
Please form orderly queues for events which require them. Please follow all instructions given by convention staff with regards to queue location and queue behaviour. Guests, convention staff (excluding off-duty volunteers), traders and disabled attendees are exempt from queueing, but are requested to be courteous to their peers.
Anyone defacing or damaging any part of the convention centre - including but not limited to: tables, equipment, displays, signs, notices - will be held liable for all damages. Legal action may be taken to recover any costs associated with repair or replacement.
Individuals may not connect to, or otherwise interfere with, the convention centre's power points or wired data network. Individuals may connect to and utilise the convention centre's wireless data network, subject to the rules and policies of that network. Anyone found connecting to the convention centre's power points in an unauthorized manner may be liable for a €20 electricity surcharge.
Disorderly and disruptive conduct is not permitted within the convention centre or within the vicinity of the entrance of the convention centre. This includes running, chasing, screaming and shouting, unwanted physical contact, use of foul language, harassment, bullying, aggressive behaviour, or other behaviour deemed disruptive by convention staff.
Smoking, drugs and other abusive substances are not permitted within the convention centre. Alcohol is only permitted if it has been purchased on the premises and may only be consumed within the vicinity of the bar area. Please see our Alcohol and Drugs Policy for more details.

Admissions Policy

This policy applies to all attendees, whether you pre-register online or purchase a pass at the door.

Once acquired, Eirtakon passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. Anyone found to be giving their pass to someone else will have their pass revoked, and will not be re-admitted.
Passes must be worn on the wrist at all times. Anyone in possession of but not wearing their pass will not be granted entry until they put on their pass.
Lost passes will not be replaced; a new pass must be purchased at full price. Damaged passes may be replaced at the Admissions Officer's discretion.
Several events are designated as 18+ events. Entrance to these events is granted only to those in possession of an 18+ pass. Valid photo ID is required upon purchase or collection of an 18+ pass, and is required for 18+ events outside of the convention centre.
All children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Adults accompanying children under the age of 13 are eligible for free entry, but may not take part in any specific events. On accompanying a child to the convention, it is assumed that the accompanying adult has granted permission for that child to take part in any event (depending on age restrictions) during the convention, unless prior notice has been given to the committee.
No outside food or drink will be permitted in the convention centre. Only food and drink purchased inside the convention centre may be consumed within the convention centre.
No animals will be permitted in the convention centre, with the exception of guide dogs.

Registration Policy

Attendees should provide correct and accurate contact information, including mobile number and e-mail address. Eirtakon is not responsible if an attendee cannot be contacted due to incorrect or inaccurate information.
Payment for Eirtakon registration must be made at the time of registration. For online registration, payment should be made at the provided screen prompt during the registration process. For postal cheque registration, payment must be received within two weeks of completion of registration, otherwise registration will be annulled.
Any attendee wishing to cancel their registration may do so by contacting the Admissions Officer. Refunds are at the sole discretion of the Admissions Officer. Refunds for online registrations within 60 days of registration will be fully refunded. Refunds for online registrations more than 60 days after registration will be refunded less any applicable fixed transaction fees. Refunds for postal cheque registrations will be refunded less bank and cheque transaction fees.
Any attempt to compromise the security of the registration process or gain unauthorized access to attendee data, will result in loss of access to the registration system, loss of Eirtakon registration without refund, and possible legal action.
Eirtakon shall not retain personal data of registered attendees for longer than is necessary for the purpose or purposes for which it was obtained. Under normal circumstances, all registration data will be deleted no later than the opening of pre-registration for the convention after the convention for which the data was obtained. No data will be disclosed to any third party organisation without the express permission of the individual attendee.
Under Section 4 of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003, any attendee has the right to request a copy of any data held about them. An attendee is also entitled to know where the information was obtained, how it has been used and if it has been passed on to anyone else. Attendees may exercise their rights of access by e-mailing the Admissions Officer.

Costume Policy

Eirtakon has many fabulous and talented cosplayers every year. Cosplaying is encouraged, but is not mandatory. Most costumes are fine, however we do have a few rules that we request that our attendees bear in mind when it comes to their costume.

Also, please read our Props and Weapons Policy for rules with regards to props.

No costume is no costume. No clothing is no clothing. Nudity is not permitted.
Offensive and/or revealing clothing (including costumes) is prohibited. All clothing (or costumes) must be tasteful and appropriate for a general audience. Appropriate undergarments must be worn. Your clothing (or costume) must cover you at least as well as a modest swimsuit would, with no transparency. Ineffective underwear or a lack thereof constitutes indecent exposure, per Section 18 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935.
Suitable footwear must be worn at all times within the convention centre. No bare feet. No rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, "heelies", or any form of bladed or wheeled footwear. These may be used as props for costumes, but may not be worn within the convention centre.
Signs or other materials that can be interpreted as solicitation or panhandling are not permitted - except those considered an established part of a costume. This applies to all types of signs and objects affixed to attendees. Any signs found in breach of this rule may be confiscated by convention staff, and may be destroyed.
No real equipment of any military unit in existence after 1900 is permitted. This especially applies to any Irish Armed Forces camouflage trousers, jackets, modern helmets and equipment; per Section 264 of the Defence Act, 1954.
No individual may be directly or indirectly connected to another person - this applies to chains, leashes, ropes, or anything else that limits mobility.
Individuals with costumes that are bulky, difficult to maneuver, restrict vision, or have mascot-type heads or projecting shoulders, are requested to be accompanied by an unencumbered escort in all high-traffic areas of the convention centre.

Props and Weapons Policy

This policy is in effect in order to keep a safe and fun environment for all Eirtakon attendees, committee, volunteers and guests. We would request that everyone abide by the rules outlined in this policy. Most props are permitted, however we request that attendees exercise caution and discretion with their props.

If a prop/weapon is not permitted, you must immediately return it to a safe location - for example, your vehicle or accommodation. Eirtakon will not store props/weapons that are deemed unsafe.
All props must be able to fit though a normal-sized door unhindered and without assistance.
All props must not be so large as to be over-encumberable.
All props must be able to be carried by a single person.
Anyone found to be misusing props/weapons (horseplay, duelling, fighting, running/swinging, brandishing threateningly etc.) will have the prop/weapon confiscated, and may be removed from the convention centre.
Any prop purchased in the Traders Hall that would be considered a prohibited prop, must be boxed and removed from the convention centre immediately after purchase. These props must not be unboxed within the convention centre.

Prohibited Props/Weapons

	Examples
Real firearms	Working, replica, disabled, or otherwise.
Projectile weapons	BB guns, pellet guns, cap guns, paintball markers, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, slingshots, tasers. *Exceptions are made for airsoft weaponry, please see below.
Live steel	Knives, swords, bayonets, daggers, switchblades, axes, skuriken, kunai. *Bokken, shinai and other forms of wooden/bamboo practice swords are permitted.
Blunt weapons	Batons, clubs, paddles, nunchaku.
Liquid weapons	Water pistols, water guns, water balloons.
Explosives	Fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, stun grenades, smoke bombs.
Chemical weapons	Tear gas, pepper spray.
Laser devices	Laser pointers, laser-aiming devices.
Other	Weapons prohibited in Ireland under the 1964 Firearms Act. *Anyone found in possession of a prohibited weapon will be reported to An Garda Siochána.
	Signs not considered an established part of a costume. *An example of a sign considered part of a costume would be the sign carried by Genma the Panda from Ranma ½.
	Chalkboards or whiteboards.

Please note that we cannot pre-approve individual props and weapons before the convention. We can only determine permissibility upon viewing and inspecting the prop/weapon. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Officer.

Airsoft Weaponry

We would like to inform attendees that airsoft weaponry have been legal in Ireland since 2006 following an amendment to the 1964 Firearms Act. Air guns are legal provided that the device's muzzle energy is less than or equal to one joule. In order to maintain the peace and for the safety and reassurance of attendees, committee, volunteers and guests, we have implemented these restrictions on airsoft weaponry:

Spring-loaded airsoft weaponry is not permitted.
All carried magazines must be empty and de-gassed; and no BBs may be carried on your person.
The weapon's chamber must be clear.
The weapon's battery must be removed.
An orange tip must be in place on the weapon's barrel, or the weapon must feature brightly coloured markings or other apparatus.

Alcohol and Drugs Policy

Alcohol

EIRTAKON DOES NOT AUTHORIZE OR CONDONE UNDERAGE DRINKING. EIRTAKON EXPECTS ALL ATTENDEES OVER THE AGE OF 18 WHO WISH TO CONSUME ALCOHOL, TO DO SO IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER.

The legal age for drinking alcohol in Ireland is 18. The sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 is illegal. It is also illegal to purchase or provide alcohol outside of a domestic home to anyone under the age of 18.

The relevant Irish legislation relating to the serving of alcohol in licensed premises, the buying of alcoholic drinks in off-licences and drinking alcohol in public places is the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000, the Licensing Act 1872 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

All events held in an area in which a bar service is provided are for attendees over the age of 18 only. Admission to the bar and the sale of alcohol is at the discretion of bar staff and/or convention centre security. All attendees at any such event are expected to comply with any instruction given by bar staff and/or convention centre security.

Convention centre bars will sell alcohol only to attendees in possession of an 18+ pass. Alcohol may only be consumed within the concourse of the bar area, or any nearby seating areas. Anyone found by convention staff to be drinking outside of the bar area will be escorted back to the bar area. Alcohol not purchased in the convention centre may not be consumed within the convention centre.

Anyone found by convention staff to be intoxicated will be asked to leave the convention centre until such a time as they are no longer intoxicated.

Drugs

EIRTAKON DOES NOT AUTHORIZE OR CONDONE THE USE OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES.

Possession of drugs (intent for personal use or intent to supply) is illegal in Ireland.

The primary legislation under which criminal charges for drugs offences is brought is the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984. These have been further amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1999, the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 (SI 328 of 1988) (as amended) lists the various substances to which the legislation applies. The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 covers substances which are not specifically proscribed under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, but which have psychoactive effects.

Eirtakon and the Croke Park Conference Centre have a clear no drugs policy. Anyone found or suspected to be in possession of a controlled substance will be reported to An Gárda Siochána, and may be banned from all future Eirtakon events.

Tobacco

Smoking is forbidden in enclosed places of work in Ireland. The ban was introduced by the Tobacco Smoking (Prohibition) Regulations 2003.

Smoking is not permitted within the convention centre. Eirtakon requests that anyone who wishes to smoke to please do so outside away from the main door, and to not obstruct other attendees entering and exiting.