Witches, wizards and muggles flock to Galway Potter convention
NUI Galway was swarming with witches, wizards and muggles over the weekend as the Harry Potter Society in the university held their second annual Potter Fest.
The college hosted Ireland’s only Harry Potter Convention from Friday to Sunday, attracting Potter fans of all ages to Galway over the course of the weekend.
“It was very successful as far as we’re concerned, with most of the events running as planned, and the attendees really seemed to enjoy themselves, especially some young children who were so excited about it,” said Potter Soc’s PR Officer Áine Kilbane.
“Some of the more popular events were our flying classes, duelling, divination and defence against the dark arts classes, as well as the sorting ceremony on the Friday,” she added.
Miss Kilbane also said that this year’s festival outdid last year’s by a long shot, stating that there was “way more happening, much more of a buzz, triple the attendance, and it came together far better overall”.
The three-day event featured events such as duelling, a juggling show, a ‘Goblet of Fire’ raffle and potions-tasting on Friday evening when the festival opened, as well as a sorting ceremony where aspiring witches and wizards were sorted – by the sorting hat – into one of the four Hogwarts houses; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.
Saturday saw a range of activities including a writing competition, talks by Jennifer Trieu and Gráinne O’Brien from ‘Magic is Might’, a ‘Snape’ Disco and a Horcrux Hunt, as well as another ‘Goblet of Fire’ raffle.
On Sunday, Potter fans were treated to flying classes, duelling, a cosplay workshop and various other activities before a closing ceremony which took place in the Aula Maxima.
Sunday afternoon also featured the much-anticipated Quidditch match in which the local team – the Galway Grindylows – took on the Anime and Manga Society and won.
All proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation.
Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel