Olympiad

The 2024 International Geography Olympiad

Maynooth and Dublin, Ireland

Fáilte go hÉirinn!

Welcome to Ireland!

The 20th International Geography Olympiad will take place in Ireland from 19 to 25 August, 2023 under the auspices of the International Geographical Union Olympiad Task Force.

We are grateful to the support of the School of Geography at Maynooth University, the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin, the School of Geography at Trinity College Dublin, Emu Ink Publishers, Tailte Éireann, Met Eireann, Keynote and the International Geographical Congress for IGEO 2024.

Places

IGEO events will take place in Maynooth town, the University of Maynooth, Maynooth Post-Primary School and Trinity College Dublin.

Maynooth is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It has It is home to Maynooth University where students taking part in IGEO will stay. The town has a range of services, cafes, shops and open spaces. It is just 30 minutes from Dublin by train. The main events of the Olympiad will take place in Maynooth, and students will be able to walk everywhere they need to get to. There is plenty of space to meet, chat and relax at times other outside the IGEO events.

Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, is on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin has many attractions for young people, including historic buildings such as Dublin Castle and Trinity College, beautiful parks such as St Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square, interesting museums, shops and markets. Students taking part in IGEO will visit Dublin on two of the days of the event. They may also choose to stay in Dublin before or after the event.

Students will have the opportunity to explore Maynooth and Dublin during IGEO. Dublin will include time at Trinity College Dublin, the Museums of Ireland as well as free time in the city.

Team Leaders have been sent the iGEO 2024 Guide. There will be a copy for all participants on arrival. Team Leaders have also been asked for information on all participants.

Costs and travel

Thank you to all those who have supported iGEO, including departments of education and / or enterprise as well as associations, individuals and companies from across the participating countries. The cost of IGEO includes accommodation and food as well as all costs relating to the IGEO examinations. It also includes entertainment, tours and guides for the week. IGEO costs do not include travel to or within Ireland. At the airport Spar shop or online before you travel, you can purchase a Visitor ‘Leap’ card for €32.00 for 7 days. The Leap card covers all travel to and within Dublin and to Maynooth by train and bus. Another option, for late and early arrivals or departures is the Airport Hopper a direct bus, to and from Maynooth. Full details of travel are in the iGEO 2024 guide.

Accommodation and meals

Students and team leaders will stay in student accommodation. All meals are provided. All rooms are singles. There is access to kitchens, for drinks and snacks. All bedding, towels and toilet roll are provided by MU. Rooms do not have hairdryers. There is also access to washing machines, operated by an app on a smartphone and washing liquid will be available.

Timetable for iGEO

Provisional timetable:

At Maynooth University (MU) there are two campuses North Campus (NC) and South Campus (SC), they are a few minutes walk from each other. The timetable allows for travel time within Maynooth (walking, 15 minutes) and to / from Dublin (walking and train, 70 minutes):

Monday 19th August 2024: Opening Day

14:00 - 16:00 IGEO Task Force Meeting - all Task Force members - Roque Laboratory, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

From 15:00 Registration in Rhetoric House, SC. MU - team leaders to collect welcome packs for their team

From 15:00 Registration and key collection for bedrooms, Student accommodation reception, NC, MU

14:00 - 16:00 Task Force Meeting - all task force - Waddington Room, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

16:00 - 18:00 International Board Meeting - all leaders

18:00 - 20:00 Dinner in the Phoenix Restaurant, SC, MU - all

20:00 - 21:00 Opening Ceremony, TSI Building, SC, MU - all

Tuesday 20th August 2024: Fieldwork Day

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast - all - Phoenix Restaurant

9:15 - 10:00 Fieldwork briefing - all students - Divinity Hall, near Rhetoric House, SC, MU

10:00 - 12:00 Fieldwork Part A - all students - directions will be given at the fieldwork briefing

12:00 - 13:00 Picnic Lunch - all students - directions will be given at the fieldwork briefing

14:00 - 16:00 Fieldwork Part B - all students - directions will be given at the fieldwork briefing

16:00 - 18:00 Fieldwork Part C (Write Up) - all students - Divinity Hall, SC, MU

14:00 - 16:00 Geography Meet Up - all leaders - Rocque Laboratory, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

18:00 - 20:00 Dinner - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

Wednesday 21st August 2024: Examination Day

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

9:20 - 12: 30 Examination - all students with some leaders for invigilation - Divinity Hall, SC, MU

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

14:00 - 18:00 Marking of written test - Team Leaders and Task Force - Rocque Laboratory, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

14:00 - 18:00 Marking of fieldwork - Team Leaders and Task Force - Waddington Room, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

14:00 - 16:00 Irish Dancing and Sports - all - meet at TSI Building, NC, MU

16:00 - 18:00 Time off – all students

18:00 - 20:00 Dinner - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

20:00 - 22:00 Task Force Meeting - all Task Force members - Waddington Room, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

20:00 - 21:30 Cultural Exchange - all - meet at TSI Building, NC, MU

Thursday 22nd August 2024: Multimedia Test Day

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

9:00 - 12:00 Multimedia Test (2 x groups) - Computer Science Building, NC, MU

10:00 - 12:00 Marking of examinations - Team Leaders and Task Force - Roque & Waddington Rooms, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

14:00 - 18:00 Time for Poster Competition preparation or Time off - all students - TSI Building foyer and other spaces, NC, MU

14:00 - 18:00 Marking of examinations - Team Leaders and Task Force - Roque & Waddington Rooms, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

18:00 - 20:00 Dinner - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

20:00 - 21:30 Poster Competition - all - TSI reception area and upstairs, NC, MU

21:30 - 22:00 Poster Competition judges meeting - Roque & Waddington Rooms, Rhetoric House, SC, MU

The posters will be displayed for the day on Thursday 22nd August 2024. Students will be required to ensure at least two of their team are at the poster for the evening, swapping with other team members as required. References should be typed and on the poster, not as QR codes. This is in case of issues over judges accessing the internet. They can be in a small font to save space.

Friday 23rd August 2024: Dublin & IGEO Closing Day

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

9:30 Walk to Maynooth Train Station (10 minutes), get train to Pearse Station (45 minutes) and walk to Trinity College Dublin (5 minutes)

10:30 - 11:00 Welcome Reception at Trinity College Dublin - all

11:00-12:30 Activity A*

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch - picnic in Trinity College

13:00-14:30 Activity B*

14:30-16:00 Activity C*

*Activity options include museums, sports, companies and walking tours. They will be presented before the event by email or at registration for countries to sign up to.

16:00 Walk to Pearse Train Station (various timings 5-15 minutes), get train to Maynooth (45 minutes) and walk to the university (10 minutes)

18:00 - 20:00 Dinner – all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

20:00 Closing Ceremony – all – TSI Building

Saturday 24th August 2024: Final Day & IGC Opening Ceremony

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

9:00 - 10:00 Time to pack and check out - all - Student Accommodation, NC, MU

10:00 - 12:00 International Board Meeting - all leaders

10:00 - 12:00 MU Biodiversity Talks and Trails - all students - meet outside Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch - all - Phoenix Restaurant, NC, MU

14:00 Walk to Maynooth Train Station (10 minutes), get train to Drumcondra (40 minutes) and bus to The Helix at DCU. Bus may be arranged, to be confirmed. Bags can be stored at the Helix in Dublin City University or in Trinity College.

17:00 - 19:00 Attend Opening Ceremony of International Geography Congress Conference at The Helix, Dublin City University. All students from iGEO are welcome to attend the IGC Opening Ceremony at Dublin City University’s Helix on Saturday 24th August at 5pm.

From this event it is possible to get two buses, or a taxi (at around €25 for 4 people) to the airport. For taxis, use the Free Now app on your phone. It is also possible to get back to Maynooth on two buses or a bus and train.